spatter

[ spat-er ]

verb (used with object)

1. to scatter or dash in small particles or drops:

   The dog spattered mud on everyone when he shook himself.

2. to splash with something in small particles:

   to spatter the ground with water.

3. to sprinkle or spot with something that soils or stains.

verb (used without object)

1. to send out small particles or drops, as falling water:

   rain spattering on a tin roof.

2. to strike a surface in or as in a shower, as bullets.

noun

1. the act or the sound of spattering:

   the spatter of rain on a roof.

2. a splash or spot of something spattered.

spatter

/ ˈspætə /

verb

1. to scatter or splash (a substance, esp a liquid) or (of a substance) to splash (something) in scattered drops

   mud spattered in her face

   to spatter mud on the car

2. tr to sprinkle, cover, or spot (with a liquid)
3. tr to slander or defame
4. intr to shower or rain down

   bullets spattered around them

noun

1. the sound of something spattering
2. something spattered, such as a spot or splash
3. the act or an instance of spattering

Other Words From

• spatter·ing·ly adverb
• un·spattered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spatter¹

1575–85; perhaps < Dutch spatt ( en ) to splash + -er ⁶; compare Dutch spatterig literally, spattery

Word History and Origins

Origin of spatter¹

C16: of imitative origin; related to Low German, Dutch spatten to spout, Frisian spatteren to splash

Example Sentences

In the resulting enigmatic dreamscapes, muted purples, cornflower blues and soft ochres bloom and spatter and fleck in surprising, delicate ways.

From Seattle Times

But sometimes these stories lean on the broadest clichés, using ballet as a beautiful canvas to spatter with blood.

From New York Times

Although her body has never been found, a medical examiner concluded suspected blood spatter in her garage and other evidence indicated she could not have survived.

From Seattle Times

Mejia also said that he saw what appeared to be blood spatter on Grossman’s vehicle, but that he did not have the material analyzed.

From Los Angeles Times

In Alameda County, inspectors found weld spatter waste, which sometimes contains copper, along with paint mix, used wipes with primer and other hazardous waste dumped into ordinary trash containers at Tesla’s Fremont factory.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• daub
• mottle
• smudge
• speckle