Spillane

[ spi-leyn ]

/ spɪˈleɪn /

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noun

Mickey Frank Morrison, 1918–2006, U.S. detective novelist.

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Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Words nearby Spillane

spiky, spile, spiling, spill, spillage, Spillane, spillikin, spillikins, spillover, spillproof, spill the beans

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use Spillane in a sentence

He could sit around and quote old-time book-authors by the hour—classic writers like Prather and Spillane.
This Crowded Earth|Robert Bloch
They were Mr. and Mrs. Spillane, ranchers, who lived in a lonely valley a dozen miles back from the river.
Dutch Courage and Other Stories|Jack London
Jerry noted that he was nervous and abrupt in his movements, and that Mrs. Spillane seemed laboring under some strong anxiety.
Dutch Courage and Other Stories|Jack London
The woman began to weep quietly, while Spillane dropped a troubled exclamation and strode to the window.
Dutch Courage and Other Stories|Jack London

Spillane groaned, and fiercely drove his clenched fist into the palm of the other hand.
Dutch Courage and Other Stories|Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for Spillane

Spillane

/ (spɪˈleɪn) /

noun

Mickey, original name Frank Morrison Spillane . 1918–2006, US detective-story writer, best known for his books featuring the detective Mike Hammer, for example I, the Jury (1947) and The Twisted Thing (1966)

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