splat

¹ American  

[splat] / splæt /

noun

1. Also a broad, flat piece of wood, either pierced or solid, forming the center upright part of a chair back or the like.

2. a batten for covering joints between sheets of wallboard; panel strip.

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splat ² American  

[splat] / splæt /

noun

1. a sound made by splattering or slapping.

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splat ¹ British  

/ splæt /

noun

1. a wet slapping sound

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splat ² British  

/ splæt /

noun

1. a wide flat piece of wood, esp one that is the upright central part of a chair back

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Etymology

Origin of splat¹

1825–35; origin uncertain; compare Old English splātan to split

Origin of splat²

First recorded in 1895–1900; back formation from splatter

Example Sentences

For the shocking message from Superman’s Kryptonian parents that upends his entire identity, “We used a very cutting-edge technique called ‘4D Gaussian splatting’ that allows us to record a real hologram,” says Ceretti.

From Los Angeles Times

“Maybe next week, a bald eagle will fall dead out of the sky and splat right on the White House lawn.”

From Salon

Syd, unaccustomed to elevators, let alone crowded ones, had to be pulled in, then splat like a cartoon character on the floor each time there was a shift down.

From Los Angeles Times

My piece enjoyed a few seconds of airtime before tragically plopping onto the floor with an audible “splat” for everyone in the studio to hear.

From Salon

This shaggy, silly movie works because you want to be there wherever the leads fall splat on their faces: a blood bank, a brawl, an ambulance.

From Los Angeles Times