spittle

[ spit-l ]

noun

1. saliva; spit.
2. Entomology. the frothy secretion exuded by spittlebugs.

spittle

/ ˈspɪtəl /

noun

1. the fluid secreted in the mouth; saliva or spit
2. Also calledcuckoo spitfrog spit the frothy substance secreted on plants by the larvae of certain froghoppers

Word History and Origins

Origin of spittle¹

1470–80; blend of Middle English spit (noun) ( spit ¹ ) and spetil, Old English spǣtl, variant of spātl saliva

Word History and Origins

Origin of spittle¹

Old English spǣtl saliva; see spit ¹

Example Sentences

Our political discourse has been poisoned with Trump’s hate-filled spittle for nearly a decade.

From Salon

Cicadas, winged buggy noisemakers whose relatives include leaf-hoppers and spittle bugs, come in two varieties: the annual cicadas who, sure enough, appear every year and the periodical cicadas, who appear in 13-year and 17-year cycles.

From Salon

Measles, which can be prevented by vaccination, is an airborne disease spread by the coughs, sneezes and spittle of those infected.

From Washington Times

Hot spittle dropped on her, and the bukavac’s corpse breath washed across her face.

From Literature

Some high school coaches might spray spittle and strain their vocal cords in a postgame meeting afterward.

From Los Angeles Times