spit

Everyday

1. To spit is to push liquid or food out of your mouth. tree →
2. Spit is the liquid in your mouth (saliva). tree →
3. A spit is a long metal rod for roasting meat over a fire. tree →
4. A spit is a long, narrow point of land sticking out into the sea. tree →
5. To spit (of rain) is to rain lightly. tree →
6. To be the spitting image of someone is to look exactly like them. tree →

In the lessons

In hygiene and manners, spitting in public is rude and spreads germs; spit toothpaste into the sink. In science, spit (saliva) begins digestion. In geography, a spit is a landform made by waves carrying sand and stones along a coast. In nature, llamas and some snakes spit to defend themselves. Phrases: spit out, spit it out (say it!), spitting image, it's spitting (light rain).

Examples

• Spit the toothpaste into the sink. tree →
• It's rude to spit on the pavement. tree →
• Spit out that gum! tree →
• The llama spat at the visitors. tree →
• They roasted a pig on a spit. tree →
• We walked to the end of the sandy spit. tree →
• It's only spitting, so we can still play outside. tree →
• You're the spitting image of your dad. tree →
• In the kitchen the deer roasted on the spit before the fire. tree →

Note

Past form spat in British English; Americans also use spit. Spitting at someone is very rude and can spread illness. "Spit it out!" means say what you want to say quickly.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Spit from a person with an unclean discharge made another person unclean until evening. Tradition treats this as part of the purity laws. In Job, being spat on is a picture of the worst shame and insult, and Job suffers it from those who despise him. In the primary lessons: In hygiene and manners, spitting in public is rude and spreads germs; spit toothpaste into the sink. In science, spit (saliva) begins digestion. In geography, a spit is a landform made by waves carrying sand and stones along a coast. In nature, llamas and some snakes spit to defend themselves. Phrases: spit out, spit it out (say it!), spitting image, it's spitting (light rain).

Examples

• And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. (Torah LEV.15.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. (Writings JOB.30.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• He hath made me also a byword of the people; and I am become one in whose face they spit. (Writings JOB.17.6, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Past form spat in British English; Americans also use spit. Spitting at someone is very rude and can spread illness. "Spit it out!" means say what you want to say quickly.