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

Dozens of buildings in Be'eri are spattered with bullet holes - including the nursery.

From BBC

Protesters opposed to Israel’s war in Gaza left bundles of white cloth spattered with red paint to represent blood-spattered babies.

From Los Angeles Times

Blood covers his ear and there are spatters on his face and shirt collar, but he tells the agents, "let me get my speaker, let me get my shoes.... wait wait wait."

From BBC

Llera, who has covered crime for more than three decades, smoked a cigarette while he snapped photographs of a taxi spattered with blood.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• daub
• mottle
• smudge
• speckle