spatter

[ spat-er ]
See synonyms for: spatterspatteredspattering on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. 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.

Origin of spatter

1
1575–85; perhaps <Dutch spatt(en) to splash + -er6; compare Dutch spatterig literally, spattery

Other words from spatter

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

Words Nearby spatter

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use spatter in a sentence

  • The rain had begun to spatter the deck beneath them and the cool wind was working its own will with their garments.

    The Incendiary | W. A. (William Augustine) Leahy
  • Instantly, too, three others spoke, aimed at her flash and she heard the spatter of lead against stone nearby.

    A Pagan of the Hills | Charles Neville Buck
  • With one quick jerk, he raised his rifle, and a vivid spatter of fire followed.

British Dictionary definitions for spatter

spatter

/ (ˈspætə) /


verb
  1. to scatter or splash (a substance, esp a liquid) or (of a substance) to splash (something) in scattered drops: to spatter mud on the car; mud spattered in her face

  2. (tr) to sprinkle, cover, or spot (with a liquid)

  1. (tr) to slander or defame

  2. (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

  1. the act or an instance of spattering

Origin of spatter

1
C16: of imitative origin; related to Low German, Dutch spatten to spout, Frisian spatteren to splash

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012