spall

[ spawl ]
/ spɔl /

noun

a chip or splinter, as of stone or ore.

verb (used with object)

to break into smaller pieces, as ore; split or chip.

verb (used without object)

to break or split off in chips or bits.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of spall

1750–60; origin uncertain; compare late Middle English spalle a chip

OTHER WORDS FROM spall

spall·er, nounnon·spall·ing, adjective

Words nearby spall

spain, spake, spalato, spaldeen, spalding, spall, spallanzani, spallation, spallation product, spalpeen, spam
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for spall

British Dictionary definitions for spall

spall
/ (spɔːl) /

noun

a splinter or chip of ore, rock, or stone

verb

to split or cause to split into such fragments

Word Origin for spall

C15: of unknown origin
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