spittoon

[ spi-toon ]

noun

1. a cuspidor.

spittoon

/ spɪˈtuːn /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spittoon¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; spit ¹ + -oon

Word History and Origins

Origin of spittoon¹

C19: from spit ¹+ -oon: see saloon , balloon , etc

Example Sentences

The floors were sticky with the tar from overflowing spittoons.

From The Daily Beast

Often placed in the middle of the floor, the spittoon was used mainly by tobacco-chewers.

From Ozy

I felt stupid and alone, and compensated by trying desperately to keep a fingerhold on my identity by hiding a spittoon in the inside of my jacket pocket so I could chew tobacco during class.

From Freakonomics

The host, not to be outdone, was sitting with his feet on the railing of the stove, but as far from the spittoon as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

The ladies are not compelled to sit in isolation, by the side of passengers who use the car-floor as a spittoon.

From Project Gutenberg

An attendant holding a spittoon immediately took up his position beside him.

From Project Gutenberg

The spittoon was emptied into the sea at a distance from land secretly and in the middle of the night.

From Project Gutenberg

The spittoon was solid silver, and had never been used but once, when a child threw into it an orange peeling.

From Project Gutenberg