spile

¹

[ spahyl ]

noun

1. a peg or plug of wood, especially one used as a spigot.
2. a spout for conducting sap from the sugar maple.
3. a heavy wooden stake or pile.
4. Mining. forepole.

verb (used with object)

, spiled, spil·ing.

1. to stop up (a hole) with a spile or peg.
2. to furnish with a spigot or spout, as for drawing off a liquid.
3. to tap by means of a spile.
4. to furnish, strengthen, or support with spiles or piles.

spile

²

[ spahyl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, spiled, spil·ing,

1. spoil.

spile

/ spaɪl /

noun

1. a heavy timber stake or pile
2. a spout for tapping sap from the sugar maple tree
3. a plug or spigot

verb

1. to provide or support with a spile
2. to tap (a tree) with a spile
3. dialect.
   a splinter

Word History and Origins

Origin of spile¹

1505–15; < Middle Dutch or Middle Low German spile splinter, peg; cognate with German Speil

Word History and Origins

Origin of spile¹

C16: probably from Middle Dutch spile peg; related to Icelandic spila skewer, Latin spīna thorn

Example Sentences

If you can’t find a supplier for spiles, use whatever you have.

From Popular-Science

Once you’ve drilled your hole, you can hammer in a spile and hang a bucket or jug on it to collect the sap.

From Popular-Science

Mo' lak spile chillen, that dun had ther way so long they cuden' give in, speshly your par.

From Project Gutenberg

You see the Elmwood parson takes all our eggs, and wife thinks 'twouldn't do to spile a payin' customer.

From Project Gutenberg

Youll spile usbut I know a lot o folks that might learn manners from you two boys.

From Project Gutenberg

An' don't you spile it in the cooking or I'll use the gad on you; an' if you holler or cut that cord I'll kill ye.

From Project Gutenberg

He did this on each spile, and they put the whole pot into the water.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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