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definitions

spittoon

[spi-toon]
noun
  1. a cuspidor.

Origin of spittoon

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; spit1 + -oon
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for spittoon

Historical Examples of spittoon

  • The Ranger poured his untasted liquor into the spittoon and settled the bill.

    Oh, You Tex!

    William Macleod Raine

  • He now rose and walked over to the spittoon before going on.

    A Spoil of Office

    Hamlin Garland

  • The outgoing tenant had obviously used the hearth as a spittoon.

    Nights in London

    Thomas Burke

  • A refined sort of spittoon has been introduced, with a high handle.

    Fred Markham in Russia

    W. H. G. Kingston

  • I wish youd take off that apron an bleed into the spittoon, he said as calm as he could.

    Friar Tuck

    Robert Alexander Wason

British Dictionary definitions for spittoon

spittoon

noun
  1. a receptacle for spit, usually in a public place

Word Origin for spittoon

C19: from spit 1 + -oon: see saloon, balloon, etc
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
Word Origin and History for spittoon
n.

1823, American English, from spit (n.1) + -oon. A rare instance of a word formed in English using this suffix (octoroon is another). Replaced earlier spitting box (1680s).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper