spile

¹ American  

[spahyl] / spaɪl /

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.

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verb (used with object)

spiled, spiling

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 American  

[spahyl] / spaɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

spiled, spiling

1. spoil.

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spile British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to provide or support with a spile

2. to tap (a tree) with a spile

3. dialect a splinter

Etymology

Origin of spile

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

Example Sentences

Finnick and I stand with our weapons poised while he works the spile in, but no threat appears.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Then I think of the spile and wrest it from the tree trunk.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

By wiggling and adjusting the spile, we get a thin stream running out.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Peeta’s found a good vein and the water begins to gush from the spile.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

My fingers fumble at my belt and find the spile still hanging from its vine.

From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• nozzle
• valve