spittle
Americannoun
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the fluid secreted in the mouth; saliva or spit
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Also called: cuckoo spit, frog spit. the frothy substance secreted on plants by the larvae of certain froghoppers
Etymology
Origin of spittle
1470–80; blend of Middle English spit (noun) ( see spit 1) and spetil, Old English spǣtl, variant of spātl saliva
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kirsh can’t resist taunting his foe through milky spittle, reminding Morrow that John Henry died of exhaustion.
From Salon ● Sep. 24, 2025
Measles, which can be prevented by vaccination, is an airborne disease spread by the coughs, sneezes and spittle of those infected.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 3, 2023
At jazz band practice, the teacher, Eva Aneshansley, mindful of spittle, slides a trash can beside a trumpeter.
From New York Times ● Oct. 6, 2022
The spittle of a sneezing, sniffling guy somehow went through his mask and landed on my forehead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2022
He choked on his spittle and fought for breath, then finally relaxed back into his stupor, leaning against the window.
From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
