† spirtn.1
Obsolete.
Spirit or a spirit (in various senses of spirit n.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > spirituality > mind, soul, spirit, heart > [noun]
wombeOE
moodeOE
heartOE
inner manc1000
soulOE
ghostOE
sprite1340
inwit1382
consciencec1384
spiritc1384
minda1387
spirtc1415
esperite1477
inward man1526
pneuma1559
esprite1591
internala1594
interior1600
entelechy1603
inside1615
psyche1648
sprit1653
citta1853
undersoul1868
Geist1871
heart-mind1959
the world > life > the body > respiratory organs > breathing > [noun]
orthOE
breatha1300
spiritc1350
aspirement1393
breathinga1398
suspiry1398
spirtc1415
respiration?a1425
respiring?a1425
windc1450
soufflement1483
anding1487
spiring1533
spiration1568
suspiration1604
aspiration1608
expiration1638
eupnœa1706
flation1708
rebreathing1877
ventilation1891
c1415 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant's Tale (Lansd.) (1873) l. 1633 Þan he seide his spirte [c1405 Hengwrt Spirit] was att ese Þan is quod he noþinge may me displese.
a1425 Rule St. Benet (Lansd.) (1902) 2 (MED) Þat erin hauis, herkins wat þe haly spirt sais in haly writ.
?1541 R. Copland Galen's Fourth Bk. Terapeutyke sig. Hijv, in Guy de Chauliac's Questyonary Cyrurgyens Yf some thing passe in the myddes of the way of the spert, yt is the ayre, forth wt it bredeth the coughe.
1578 J. Keltridge Expos., & Readynges 143 That it is the worke of the spirte, take that in the Prophet, they shalbe all taught of God.
a1620 M. Fotherby Atheomastix (1622) ii. xiv. §4. 357 Euery Poet is inspired, with a kind of heauenly spirt.
1683 in S. Annesley Contin. Morning-exercise Questions xxxi. 1010 It is impossible, the Organs of our Bodies, or Faculties of our Souls, should Praise God aright, unless this Spirt of God fill them.
1782 J. Elphinston tr. Martial Epigrams xii. ccxi. [= iii. xcvii.] 465 Let not Snow..chill this bundle of spirt.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2020; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
spirtn.2
/spəːt/, U.S. /spərt/ a. A brief period of time; a short space. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > a short or moderate space of time
weekeOE
littleOE
roomOE
stoundOE
startc1300
houra1350
furlong wayc1384
piecea1400
weea1400
speed whilec1400
hanlawhilea1500
snack1513
spirt?1550
snatch1563
fit1583
spurta1591
shortness1598
span1599
bit1653
thinking time1668
thinking-while1668
onwardling1674
way-bit1674
whilie1819
fillip1880
?1550 R. Weaver Lusty Iuventus sig. D.iii I wil play a spyrt. Why should I not?
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 57 Heere for a spirt [they] linger, no good opportunitye scaping.
1612 T. Shelton tr. M. de Cervantes Don Quixote (1620) i. I. i. 2 The Spirts that he was idle (which was the longer part of the Year).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > distance > [noun] > a short distance
wurpc950
stepc1000
footc1300
furlong wayc1384
stone-casta1387
straw brede14..
tinec1420
weec1420
field-breadth1535
field-broad1535
pair of butts1545
straw-breadth1577
stone's throw1581
way-bit?1589
space1609
piece1612
littlea1616
spirt1670
a spit and a stride1676
hair's breadth1706
rope's length1777
biscuit throw1796
a whoop and a holler1815
biscuit toss1836
biscuit cast1843
stone-shot1847
pieceway1886
stone-put1896
pitch-and-putt1925
pieceways1932
1670 S. Wilson Lassels's Voy. Italy (new ed.) i. 85 I must except the Strada Noua here, which for a spirt, surpasseth all the streets I euer saw any where else.
2. Nautical. A short or slight spell of wind.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [noun] > short spell of
slent1596
spurt1699
spirt1726
slant1823
1726 G. Shelvocke Voy. round World i. 5 A small spirt of wind would now run us into fair weather.
1799 Naval Chron. 1 440 Orders came down..to sail from Cawsand Bay the first spirt of wind.
1805 Naval Chron. 13 243 She sails the first spirt of Wind.
1837 T. Hook Jack Brag III. v. 212 I think we shall have a spirt of wind presently.
3. A sudden outbreak or brief spell of activity or exertion; a spurt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > duration > shortness or brevity in time > [noun] > short spell of something
spurta1566
spirt1829
snatch1880
spurtlet1921
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [noun] > spell of strenuous action > brief
spurta1591
spirt1829
1829 T. P. Thompson in Westm. Rev. Jan. 240 If all the absentees were to come back in a flock, it would undoubtedly cause a spirt of employment and felicity in Ireland. But as soon as this spirt was over, the effect would be the same.
1843 C. Dickens Martin Chuzzlewit (1844) iv. 44 The strife,..after breaking out afresh some twice or thrice in certain inconsiderable spirts and dashes, died away in silence.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports ii. ii. ii. 386/1 On the days intervening between the gallops a very short and quick spirt will serve to freshen the horse's wind.
1883 A. Thomas Mod. Housewife 142 That dinner's only a spirt, you know.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spirtn.3
Now dialect.
A sprout or shoot.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > part of plant > shoot, sprout, or branch > [noun]
sproteeOE
wiseOE
spronkOE
wrideOE
brodc1175
wanda1300
breerc1320
scion?c1335
spraya1387
spriga1398
springa1400
sprouta1400
spiringc1400
shoota1450
youngling1559
forth-growing1562
spirk1565
sprouting1578
surcle1578
chive1583
chit1601
spurt1601
sprit1622
germen1628
spurge1630
spirt1634
brairding1637
springet1640
set1658
shrubble1674
underling1688
sobolesa1722
branchlet1731
springlet1749
sproutling1749
sprang1847
shootlet1889
1634 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World (new ed.) I. 446 These Filberds..within their belly..haue in the mids a little chit or spirt [1601 spurt] as if it were a nauill.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
spirtn.4
/spəːt/, U.S. /spərt/ 1.
a. A jet or slender spout of water or other liquid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > fountain > [noun] > jet or spout
waterspout1607
jettoa1660
girandolac1660
jet d'eau1669
gerbe1699
jetteau1710
grille1712
spirt1716
water jet1727
spurt1775
girandole1813
spring1818
water-bow1855
sea-spout1867
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > sudden or violent > in a jet > a jet
spout?a1513
jet1661
spirt1716
jet stream1830
1716 J. Gay Trivia iii. 60 Water, dash'd from fishy Stalls, shall stain His hapless Coat with Spirts of scaly Rain.
1840 R. Browning Sordello iv. 135 In the centre spreads..A laver, broad and shallow, one bright spirt Of water bubbles in.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. i. 167 A great spirt of blood burst from his nose.
1879 J. Burroughs Locusts & Wild Honey 120 There was a spirt or two of rain.
b. The sound made by a jet of liquid.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of water > [noun] > spirt
spirt1874
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd I. iii. 26 Soon a soft spirt, alternating with a loud spirt, came in regular succession from within the shed.
2. A sudden jet of fire, or puff of smoke.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > sudden > of fire or smoke
spirt1851
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > fire or flame > [noun] > flame or blaze > sudden burst of
bouffe1477
flash1566
gust1674
volcano1699
spirt1851
flare-up1859
flare1888
the world > matter > properties of materials > temperature > heat > burning > products of burning > [noun] > smoke > a puff of
whiff1715
gust1811
pufflet1848
spirt1851
waft1896
1851 N. Hawthorne Snow Image (1879) 111 Looking at the little spirts of fire.
1871 G. Meredith Harry Richmond II. viii. 90 He sent out quick spirts of smoke rolling into big volumes.
1878 R. Browning La Saisiaz in La Saisiaz: Two Poets of Croisic 21 Spirt and spirt Of fire from our brave billet's either edge.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spirtv.1
/spəːt/, U.S. /spərt/ 1. intransitive.
a. Of liquids (or small objects): To spring or burst out in a small quantity but with some force; to issue in a jet. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > squirt or issue in a jet [verb (intransitive)]
spurt1570
spirt1582
squitter1596
jet1692
splirt1791
squirt1858
skeet1880
skoosh1890
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > go or come out [verb (intransitive)] > violently > in a jet
outspinc1330
spinc1400
spout?a1513
spout1561
spurt1570
spirt1582
sprouta1595
jet1692
splirt1791
squizzle1856
squirt1858
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis iii. 46 From that stub lykewise foorth spirt drops bluddelye stilling.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §314 Beer or ale while it is new and full of Spirit (so that it Spirteth when the Stopple is taken forth).
1668 Bp. J. Wilkins Ess. Real Char. 105 That whose seed when ripe will spirt out of the cod.
1693 J. Ray Three Physico-theol. Disc. (ed. 2) i. iii. 42 The water breaks forth with great force,..spirting several fathoms high.
1728 A. Pope Dunciad ii. 23 Thus the small jett..Spirts in the gard'ners eyes who turns the cock.
1758 A. Reid tr. P. J. Macquer Elements Theory & Pract. Chym. I. 136 This spirts out in fine small jets.
1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. xv. 363 Upon whose muslin robe a part of the victim's blood had spirted.
1844 W. M. Thackeray Contrib. to Punch in Wks. (1898) VI. 74 His coat and waistcoat buttons spirt violently off his garments.
1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. I. 190/1 Wit vibrates and spirts.
1905 J. B. Firth Highways & Byways in Derbyshire xxv. 369 Through the sluices at the sides the water was spirting gaily.
b. To flare up with sudden anger or excitement. U.S.
ΚΠ
1854 M. J. Holmes Tempest & Sunshine xvi. 105 What's the row now? What's happened to make little Sunshine spirt up so?
2. figurative.1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis i. 16 In that od Isle raigneth, from Troyblud spirted, Acestes.1628 G. Wither Britain's Remembrancer ii. 2115 Lest I should spirt a blot So black, as that it would not be forgot In future Ages.a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Lincs. 158 I find one Pen spirting Ink upon him.1860 W. M. Thackeray Ribbons in Roundabout Papers iii. Our fountain of Honour..has spirted a baronetcy upon two, and bestowed a coronet upon one noble man of letters.in extended use.1857 C. Dickens Little Dorrit ii. xxx. 582 He spirted it [sc. the hotel-bill] into Mr. Flintwinch's face, when the old man advanced to take it.
a. transitive. To send out in a jet or slender rapid stream; to squirt.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > squirt liquid [verb (transitive)]
sprout1578
spirt1582
squirt1583
squit1594
spurt1601
spirt1646
jeta1684
scoot1805
squitter1809
skeet1880
spritz1886
skoosh1985
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > in a jet
sprout1578
spirt1582
squirt1583
spurt1601
spirt1646
jeta1684
snort1818
skeet1880
splurt-
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis ii. 35 [The adder] with toonge three forcked furth spirts fyre freshlye regendred.
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes ii. 1827 The Rose water that was spirted by little young Jewes.
1635 J. Hayward tr. G. F. Biondi Donzella Desterrada 203 Others were busied in spirting and sprinkling water in her face.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 141 His finny Flocks..rowling round him, spirt the bitter Sea. View more context for this quotation
1796 F. Burney Camilla I. ii. ii. 149 The same gentleman..was now spirting lavender water all about him.
1817 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) II. xvii. 73 A pair [of ants]..rearing upon their hind-legs mutually spirt their acid.
1843 W. M. Thackeray Irish Sketch-bk. I. ii. 50 A table-cloth, over which a waiter has just spirted a pint of obstreperous cider.
1895 H. Maxwell Duke of Brit. v. 72 Fill your mouth with water and spirt it into the opening.
b. With forth, out, up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > squirt liquid [verb (transitive)]
sprout1578
spirt1582
squirt1583
squit1594
spurt1601
spirt1646
jeta1684
scoot1805
squitter1809
skeet1880
spritz1886
skoosh1985
the world > space > place > removal or displacement > extraction > extract [verb (transitive)] > strike or knock out > with something spirted
spirt1646
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > let or send out [verb (transitive)] > emit > in a jet
sprout1578
spirt1582
squirt1583
spurt1601
spirt1646
jeta1684
snort1818
skeet1880
splurt-
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 137 Toades are sometimes observed to exclude or spirt out a dark and liquid matter behinde. View more context for this quotation
1664 H. Power Exper. Philos. i. 39 The Lamprey hath a fistula..at the back part of the head, whereat they spirt out water.
1716 J. Gay Trivia ii. 30 Oft' the loose Stone spirts up a muddy Tide Beneath thy careless Foot.
1817 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. (1818) II. xxi. 239 Sometimes they will even spirt out that liquor.
1826 W. Kirby & W. Spence Introd. Entomol. III. xxx. 150 Perforated tubercles, which when the animal is molested spirt forth a transparent fluid.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop ii. xlv. 45 When every chimney spirted up its flame.
3. To knock out with something spirted.
ΚΠ
1642 T. Fuller Holy State iii. v. 162 He that eats cherries with Noblemen shall have his eyes spirted out with the stones.
Derivatives
ˈspirted adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > [adjective] > squirted or issued in a jet
sprouted1644
spurted1693
spirted1847
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > letting or sending out > [adjective] > emitting > emitting in a jet > emitted in a jet
sprouted1644
spurted1693
spirted1847
jetted1864
1847 Ld. Tennyson Princess vii. 152 Red with spirted purple of the vats.
ˈspirting n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of squirting or issuing in a jet > [noun]
spouting1611
sprouting1611
sprounting1691
jetting1702
spirting1845
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [noun] > sudden or violent > in a jet
spouting1611
sprouting1611
sprounting1691
jetting1702
spirting1845
1845 P. Barlow Manuf. in Encycl. Metrop. VIII. 415/1 Some inconvenience is caused by the spirting.
1860 O. W. Holmes Professor at Breakfast-table xii. 364 We all like the spirting up of a fountain.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
spirtv.2
Now dialect.
intransitive. To sprout or germinate, esp. abnormally or unseasonably; †to shoot up in growth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > by growth or development > grow or vegetate [verb (intransitive)] > grow abnormally or unseasonably
spirt1584
boll1601
sprout1675
run1725
button1767
bolt1889
to set to seed1897
1584–5 in G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. (1879) 403 Their corne..was layd flat to the grownde, and so by meanes spirtid.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iii. v. 8 Shall a few Sprayes of vs,..Our Syens, put in wilde and sauage Stock, Spirt vp so suddenly into the Clouds, And ouer-looke their Grafters?
1764 Warwickshire Letter in Museum Rusticum III. 136 The ears.., in a wet time, will spirt, and so spoil the whole.
1863 W. Barnes Gram. & Gloss. Dorset Dial.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
spirtv.3
/spəːt/, U.S. /spərt/ intransitive. To make a spurt; to turn or dart about quickly; to exert oneself for a short time.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > move at specific rate [verb (intransitive)] > increase speed > for a short time
spirt1599
spurt1664
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > exert oneself or make an effort [verb (intransitive)] > for a short time
spirt1599
spurt1664
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move swiftly in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > move swiftly and suddenly > about
skirmc1400
wincec1400
squib1762
spirt1856
wasp1967
1599 T. Nashe Lenten Stuffe 53 Our Herring smoker..spirted ouer seas to Rome with a Pedlers packe of them.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports i. iii. ix. 216 The short running and quick turning of the rabbits, which spirt about even more sharply than hares.
1857 T. Hughes Tom Brown's School Days i. iv. 95 They comes out about twice or three times a-week, and spirts a mile alongside of us.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.2?1550n.31634n.41716
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