turnspit

American  

[turn-spit] / ˈtɜrnˌspɪt /

noun

1. a spit that rotates or can be rotated.

2. a mechanically or manually operated device for turning a spit on which meat is roasted.

3. a person who turns a spit.

4. a small dog having a long body and short legs, used formerly to work a treadmill that turned a spit.

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turnspit British  

/ ˈtɜːnˌspɪt /

noun

1. (formerly) a servant or small dog whose job was to turn the spit on which meat, poultry, etc, was roasting

2. a spit that can be so turned

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Etymology

Origin of turnspit

First recorded in 1570–80; turn + spit ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

turnspit

In the Middle Ages, many households employed a turnspit dog, a breed developed to turn roasting meat by running inside a small cage that resembled a hamster wheel.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2011

Modern cooking technologies eliminated the need for turnspit dogs, and they faded away.

From New York Times ● Feb. 15, 2011

Often he became a pieman, and once he was a turnspit in the household of the Lord Bishop himself.

From The White Ladies of Worcester A Romance of the Twelfth Century by Barclay, Florence L. (Florence Louisa)

Oh!" cried Jack, "we invented a machine of that kind for our canoe, with a turnspit.

From Willis the Pilot by Adrien, Paul

The dog worked in a cage, operating a wheel or drum which in its turn revolved the turnspit.

From Chats on Household Curios by Burgess, Fred. W. (Frederick William)