sputtering

[ spuht-er-ing ]

/ ˈspʌt ər ɪŋ /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sputtering ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Engineering, Electronics. a process that uses ions of an inert gas to dislodge atoms from the surface of a crystalline material, the atoms then being electrically deposited to form an extremely thin coating on a glass, metal, plastic, or other surface.

Nearby words

Origin of sputtering

First recorded in 1900–05; sputter + -ing¹

Related formsun·sput·ter·ing, adjective

Definition for sputtering (2 of 2)

sputter

[ spuht-er ]

/ ˈspʌt ər /

verb (used without object)

to make explosive popping or sizzling sounds.

to emit particles, sparks, etc., forcibly or explosively, especially accompanied by sputtering sounds.

to eject particles of saliva, food, etc., from the mouth in a light spray, as when speaking angrily or excitedly.

to utter or spit out words or sounds explosively or incoherently, as when angry or flustered.

verb (used with object)

to emit (anything) forcibly and in small particles, as if by spitting: The fire sputtered cinders.

to eject (saliva, food, etc.) in small particles explosively and involuntarily, as in excitement.

to utter explosively and incoherently.

noun

the act or sound of sputtering.

explosive, incoherent utterance.

matter ejected in sputtering.

Origin of sputter

1590–1600; sput- (variant of spout) + -er⁶; cognate with Dutch sputteren

Related formssput·ter·er, nounsput·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sputtering

Sputtering, I manage a few “hut-hut-huts” with the other students.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
When he finally delivered his five lines, “my mouth had frozen, so this sputtering sort of came out,” Tambor says.
Jeffrey Tambor Is One Helluva Woman: Inside His Phenomenal Turn in ‘Transparent’|Kevin Fallon|September 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But by next spring or summer, it may be someone else sputtering for excuses.
Beware, Republicans: HealthCare.gov Will Rise Again|Michael Tomasky|November 28, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Even while sputtering out the most eye-rolling lines about his new love for the Kardashian family, he was remarkably pleasant.
Kanye West Debuts Baby North During Ridiculous Interview With Kris Jenner|Kevin Fallon|August 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST

In 2008, the economy was already eight months into a deep recession; in 2011, the recovery was sputtering along in very low gear.
Stock Market Ignores Washington Brinksmanship Due to Strong Economy|Daniel Gross|December 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Nesbit blinked at her husband for a minute in sputtering indignation.
In the Heart of a Fool|William Allen White
"A to M" went on growling and sputtering, like a leaky shower-bath.
Geoffrey Hampstead|Thomas Stinson Jarvis
Near the door, in the dim light of a sputtering tallow-dip, on a tiny bed lay the sleeping infant.
Dixie Hart|Will N. Harben
They went off like tiny shells, sputtering out on every side, but the shavings remained as dead as the sand of the beach.
Egholm and his God|Johannes Buchholtz
A brisk fire was roaring in the stove, and the tea-kettle was sputtering and sending out clouds of steam.
Betty's Bright Idea; Deacon Pitkin's Farm; and The First Christmas of New England|Harriet Beecher Stowe

British Dictionary definitions for sputtering

sputter

/ (ˈspʌtə) /

verb

another word for splutter (def. 1), splutter (def. 2), splutter (def. 3)

physics

to undergo or cause to undergo a process in which atoms of a solid are removed from its surface by the impact of high-energy ions, as in a discharge tube
to coat (a film of a metal) onto (a solid surface) by using this process

noun

the process or noise of sputtering

incoherent stammering speech

something that is ejected while sputtering

Derived Formssputterer, noun

Word Origin for sputter

C16: from Dutch sputteren, of imitative origin

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 sputtering

sputter

1590s, "to spit with explosive sounds," cognate with Dutch sputteren, West Frisian sputterje (see spout). Related: Sputtered; sputtering. The noun is attested from 1670s.

sputtering

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of sputtering

Definition for sputtering (2 of 2)

sputter

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

Origin of sputter

Examples from the Web for sputtering

British Dictionary definitions for sputtering

sputter

verb

noun

Word Origin for sputter

Word Origin and History for sputtering

sputter