sputtering

[spuht-er-ing]

noun

1. 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.

Other Word Forms

• unsputtering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sputtering¹

First recorded in 1900–05; sputter + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Both offenses are sputtering and turnovers likely will decide the outcome.

From Los Angeles Times

In the study, the researchers wrote that “while efforts to slow climate change may be sputtering,” people urgently need to take steps to preserve groundwater.

From Los Angeles Times

Their offense has gone from leading the majors in scoring over the first half of the season, to suddenly sputtering over the last month and a half.

From Los Angeles Times

Ron Washington took a page out of the characterized version of himself from the 2011 film “Moneyball” when asked about how difficult it would be to revive the Angels’ sputtering offense.

From Los Angeles Times

He started “Star Wars” as a self-absorbed teenager who refused to help Princess Leia, sputtering, “It’s not that I like the Empire — I hate it — but there’s nothing I can do about it right now.”

From Los Angeles Times