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

Reform was foiled, as Burke put it, because the turnspit in the king's kitchen was a member of parliament.

From The English Utilitarians, Volume I. by Sir Leslie Stephen

They are said also to be derived from terriers, and it seems to me that the perpetuation of malformation in several breeds will produce the turnspit.

From Anecdotes of the Habits and Instinct of Animals by Harrison Weir

In the year 1790, there was one in the possession of a Mr. Sample, in Northumberland, which performed the duty of a turnspit as well, in all respects, as the dog of that denomination.

From Illustrative Anecdotes of the Animal Kingdom by Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold) Goodrich