spitball

[ spit-bawl ]
/ ˈspɪtˌbɔl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR spitball ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a small ball or lump of chewed paper used as a missile.
Also called spitter. Baseball. a pitch, now illegal, made to curve by moistening one side of the ball with saliva or perspiration.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of spitball

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; spit1 + ball1

Words nearby spitball

spit in the ocean, spit take, spit up, spit-shine, spital, spitball, spitballer, spitchcock, spite, spite fence, spiteful
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to spitball

urge, offer, nominate, request, introduce, submit, recommend, ask, proffer, broach, visualize, develop, envision, formulate, devise, originate, produce, design, realize, spawn

Example sentences from the Web for spitball