spit
spit [spit spits spitted spitting] verb, noun BrE [spɪt] NAmE [spɪt]
verb (spit·ting, spat, spatBrE [spæt] ; NAmE [spæt] spit is also sometimes used for the past tense and past participle, especially in NAmE)
FROM MOUTH
1. transitive to force liquid, food, etc. out of your mouth
•~ sth (out) She took a mouthful of food and then suddenly spat it out.
•~ sth (from sth) He was spitting blood from a badly cut lip.
2. intransitive to force ↑saliva (= the liquid that is produced in the mouth) out of your mouth, often as a sign of anger or lack of respect
•He coughed and spat.
•~ at/on/in sb/sth The prisoners were spat on by their guards.
•She spat in his face and went out.
•A gang of youths swore and spat at officials outside the stadium.
SAY STH ANGRILY
3. transitive to say sth in an angry or aggressive way
•+ speech ‘You liar!’ she spat.
•~ sth (at sb) He was dragged out of the court, spitting abuse at the judge and jury.
OF AN ANIMAL
4. intransitive to make a short angry sound
•Snakes spit and hiss when they are cornered.
•The cat arched its back and spat at the dog.
OF STH COOKING/BURNING
5. intransitive to make a noise and throw out fat, ↑sparks, etc
•sausages spitting in the frying pan
•The logs on the fire crackled and spat.
RAIN
6. intransitive (informal) (only used in the progressive tenses)when it is spitting, it is raining lightly
Verb forms: 
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 Old English spittan n. senses 3 to 4 Old English spitu West Germanic Dutch spit German Spiess
Idioms: ↑spit and polish ▪ ↑spit it out ▪ ↑spit venom ▪ ↑within spitting distance
Derived: ↑spit up
noun
IN/FROM MOUTH
1. uncountable the liquid that is produced in your mouth
Syn: ↑saliva
2. countable, usually singular the act of spitting liquid or food out of your mouth
PIECE OF LAND
3. countable a long thin piece of land that sticks out into the sea/ocean, a lake, etc
•a shingle spit
•a remote spit of land on the coast 
FOR COOKING MEAT
4. countable a long thin straight piece of metal that you put through meat to hold and turn it while you cook it over a fire
•chickens roasting on a spit
Word Origin:
v. and n. senses 1 to 2 Old English spittan n. senses 3 to 4 Old English spitu West Germanic Dutch spit German Spiess
See also: ↑within shouting distance
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