spittoon

[spi-toon]

noun

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. 2019

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

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

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).