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.

---

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

---

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

We must, however, make an exception for the turnspit dog, in which the superior border equals three-fourths of that length.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard

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)

Soon after, however, the refractory dog entered the kitchen, driving before him the truant turnspit, which immediately, of its own accord, went into the wheel.

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