| 释义 |
▪ I. spill, n.1|spɪl|
Forms: 4 spille, 5–6 spyll(e, 6–7 spil, 7– spill.
[Of doubtful origin; app. in some way related to spile n.2]
1. a. A splinter; a sharp-pointed fragment of wood, bone, etc.; a slip or sliver.
c1300Beket 850 We suspendieth such consail, for hit his noȝt worth a Spille. c1400Destr. Troy 11119 Pirrus with payn puld of his brest The spyll of his speire. 1550T. Lever Serm. (Arb.) 135 Beware..that ye staye not your selfe vnto a bryttell staffe, for it wyll brast in spylles and perce thorowe your handes. 1598Hall Sat. iv. iii, What boots it..to reserve their relics many years, Their silver spurs, or spils of broken spears. 1601Holland Pliny II. 283 This herb..draweth forth of the body any spils whatsoeuer. 1658J. Jones Ovid's Ibis 43 Divine justice..maketh..the spils of the staff on which he leaned to run into his hands. 1748in 6th Rep. Dep. Kpr. App. ii. 123 Taking out all such lints, spills, and other things which will not receive the dye. 1846Holtzapffel Turning II. 527 To preserve the edge of the tool, thin spills of hard wood are sometimes placed between the cutter and the bar. 1863Gd. Words Apr. 282/1 Like what are called spills in the game of spillikins.
fig.1600Holland Livy vii. xxi. 263 This matter of usurie, the onely spill or bone (as it were) between, that seemed to hinder the uniting of their hearts.
b. techn. (See quots.)
1843Holtzapffel Turning I. 197 The scrap-iron is some⁓times twisted during the process of manufacture, to lay all the filaments like a rope, and prevent the formation of spills, or the longitudinal dirty seams found on the surface of inferior iron. 1904Kynoch Jrnl. Oct.–Dec. 204 The reader will observe..a flaw technically termed a ‘spill’, the result of a small hollow or depression near the surface of the ingot, which, in the process of rolling has been closed, but which, in the extending process of pressing the metal into a case has again been opened & made manifest. 1954A. R. Bailey Text-bk. Metallurgy xi. 377 Cavities near the surface..are likely to become opened up during working, become oxidised and fail to weld up, thus forming surface oxide laminations, sometimes known as spills.
2. a. A thin slip of wood, a folded or twisted piece of paper, used for lighting a candle, pipe, etc.
1821M. Edgeworth Let. 14 Nov. (1971) 268 Harriet performed to admiration as Fire eater—I held lamp..and lighted spills which she seemed to devour. 1839Sir G. C. Lewis Gloss. Heref. s.v., Long thin splinters of wood used in farm houses for lighting candles are called spills. 1849C. Brontë Shirley xxxvi, She had separated a slip of paper for lighting tapers—a spill, as it is called—into fragments. 1871Tylor Prim. Cult. I. 68 The children stand in a ring; one lights a spill of paper and passes it on.
b. attrib. and Comb., as spill-box, spill-case, spill cup, spill-holder, spill-jar, spill pot, spill vase.
1847Alb. Smith Stuck-up People 84 It was termed a spill⁓case, to be sold, with similar ones, at a guinea the pair. 1851Parker's Jrnl. 5 Apr. 185/2 The mantelpiece is probably painted to imitate marble, and on it are placed two ‘spill-holders’ of perforated card, with bouquets worked in silk on each. 1859F. S. Cooper Ironmongers' Catal. 181 Spill Cups. 1860C. M. Yonge Hopes & Fears I. x. 362 The..well-filled spill-holder and match-box on the mantel-shelf. 1862Catal. Internat. Exhib., Brit. II. No. 6860, Several pairs of spill pots, various designs. 1866Mrs. J. H. Riddell Race for Wealth xix, He has got a clock on the mantel-shelf,..and spill-boxes,..and cigar-cases. 1868C. L. Eastlake Hints on Household Taste v. 134 Chimneypiece spill-vases, made of brass,..decorated with a pattern in encaustic colour. 1903A. Bennett Leonora x. 282 Reaching a second spill from the spill-jar on the mantlepiece. 1978Country Life 13 Apr. (Suppl.) 38/1 (caption) A Pair of English Porcelain Spill Vases.
c. ellipt. A spill-holder in the form of a cylindrical jar; also, an umbrella-holder of similar form.
1895Army & Navy Soc. Price List 15 Sept. 318 Oriental Goods:..Spills: 6 in., pair 1/8. Ibid., Umbrella Spills, 25 in. high, 9 in. diameter.
3. techn. (See quot. and cf. spile n.2 3.)
1875Knight Dict. Mech., Spill (Shipwrighting), a small peg used to stop the hole left by a spike when drawn out.
4. Mining. (See quot.)
1881Raymond Mining Gloss., Spills, Corn[wall], long thick laths or poles driven ahead horizontally around the door⁓frames, in running levels in loose ground.
▪ II. spill, n.2|spɪl|
Also 7 spil.
[app. a. Du. spil (MDu. spille) or LG. (MLG.) spille, G. spille (OHG. spilla), spindle, axis, pin, stalk, etc., app. for original *spinla, f. spin- spin v. In some senses perh. associated with prec.]
†1. A small cylinder upon which yarn is wound; a spool. Obs.
1594H. Willobie Avisa 38 Her Spill was neuer fully spone, For night vndid that day had done. Ibid. 39 The Spindle that you see me driue, Hath fyld the spill so often trend. 1615Hieron Wks. I. 604 I will, now (as the vse in spinning is) that I haue..twisted this threed, briefly wind it vpon the spill.
2. A rod or stalk of wood, metal, etc.
1594Carew Tasso (1881) 71 A sepulchre of Cipresse sweete they stall Their Barricados neere, and highest spill Of Palme tree with his boughs orespreads it all. 1602― Cornwall 30 b, The Oysters..haue a peculiar dredge, which is a thicke strong net, fastned to three spils of yron, and drawne at the boates sterne. Ibid. 124 b, One of the boyes conuerted the spill of an old candlesticke to a gunne. 1807Vancouver Agric. Devon (1813) 118 A bridle..should be fixed on the beam by a nut and screw, and passed down the spill with a lip, to grasp the head end of the sole. 1844Civil Eng. & Arch. Jrnl. VII. 190/2 The ‘button clack..was a disc of metal with a central spill or stalk, which rose and fell in a guide. 1881Greener Gun 236 By using more packing, or a larger spill, the same bit may be used to bore several sizes out of a barrel.
†b. A stem-like root. Also spill-root. Obs.
1766Museum Rust. VI. 29 Mr. Lewis says it [sc. burnet⁓haulm] runs down in a spill six or eight inches. 1796Trans. Soc. Arts XIV. 260, I do not suppose the transplanted ones will answer, having but one spill-root.
c. Of a gun: = nipple n. 3.
1823Specif. J. Day's Patent No. 4861, Nipple or spill to receive the copper percussion caps.
3. A pin or slender rod upon which anything turns; a spindle.
1730Phil. Trans. XXXVI. 337 This is to be kept in Motion by a Gut-string (as the Spill of a Spinning-Turn is moved). 1762Ibid. LII. 510 A large spill of iron, on which there is a brass weather-cock. 1770Ibid. LXI. 74 It is remarkable that the spill was found in the bell-chamber, and the weather-cock in the battlements. 1881Young Ev. Man his own Mech. §1486. 671 The spill that connects the handles and keys with the lever that acts on the catch [of the lock]. 1888–in s.w. dial. glossaries.
▪ III. † spill, n.3 slang. Obs.
[Of doubtful origin: perh. from spill v.]
A small gift of money; a tip.
1675Crowne Country Wit ii. i, Give a spill to my watch, and my Grace shall drink your health in claret. Ibid. iv, Never make a bustle on your wedding-day! give the constable a spill. 1726Ayliffe Parergon 173 The Bishops who consecrated this Ground, were wont to have a Spill or Sportule from the credulous Laity. 1774Foote Cozeners i. Wks. 1799 II. 151, I will..give him a good spill for his resignation into the bargain.
b. Const. of (money).
1707J. Stevens tr. Quevedo's Com. Wks. (1709) T iij, For a small Spill of Money, he was..my Friend. 1778Foote Trip Calais ii. Wks. 1799 II. 347 For a little spill of money, he may put us in a way to get our daughter out. 1815Scott Guy M. xxxiv, All dead but Gipsy Gab, and he would go off the country for a spill of money.
▪ IV. spill, n.4|spɪl|
[f. spill v.]
1. A throw from a horse or vehicle; a fall or tumble; an upset.
a1845Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. iii. Blasphemer's Warn. 355 Cursing his fill At his courser because he had given him a ‘spill’. 1876Chambers' Jrnl. 29 July 493/1 During the struggle [in polo]..mishaps now and then occur—happy if only a spill. 1895Meredith Amazing Marriage xv, The coach rocked, they were sharp on a spill midway of the last descent.
2. a. A downpouring or dropping of liquid; a quantity spilled; spec. = oil spill s.v. oil n.1 6 e.
c1848J. Keegan Leg. & Poems (1907) 482 If a spill of my heart's blood could be of any comfort to the poor creature, he should be welcome to it. 1888Harper's Mag. Dec. 87 Soon the rain left off for a moment, gathering itself together again for another spill. 1972L. M. Harris Introd. Deepwater Floating Drilling Operations xvii. 178 Equipment and practices designed for safety and reliability are the first line of defense against oil spills and pollution. Should a spill occur, however, advance planning can reduce its severity. 1975Petroleum Rev. XXIX. 237/3 The ability of present-day booms to contain a spill is limited to good weather conditions.
b. A channel or passage for the escape of surplus water; a ‘spill-way’.
1900Westm. Gaz. 10 July 2/1 The waters flow down many spills and channels, though at present there are two main branches.
3. Naut. A slight breeze.
1899Daily News 20 July 8/3 They found a spill from the stern again taking the ships on the starboard aft.
4. A diffusion of light, esp. beyond the area intended to be illuminated.
1952[see baffle n.1 5]. 1972T. Coe Don't lie to Me (1974) i. 4 Her features..hard to read in the dim spill from a nearby streetlight. 1977P. Scupham Hinterland 9 A spill Of light poured off rough drapery As blacks and whites and ochre tones Work shifts about the curtain wall.
5. Austral. Pol. A vacating of other posts after one important change of office.
1956J. T. Lang I Remember 311 There had to be an annual election of leader. That made it inevitable that some members would intrigue against the leader hoping for a Cabinet spill. 1974Courier-Mail (Brisbane) 6 July 3/1 After Mr. Tucker's election as new party leader, Mr. Dean (Sandgate) moved for a ‘spill’ of all other Opposition front bench positions. 1975Australian 18 Mar. 1 It will be left to Mr Fraser's supporters to force the issue and move against Mr Snedden through either a spill of leadership positions or a motion of no confidence.
6. attrib. and Comb., as spill-proof adj.; spill burner, a form of burner used in some gas turbines which allows excess fuel to be recirculated; spill valve, a valve which serves to allow the escape of surplus fluid.
1945Proc. Inst. Mech. Engineers CLIII. 464/2 (caption) o Indicates the condition giving a mean particle size of 200µ: On the *spill burner this limit is not attained. 1972H. Cohen et al. Gas Turbine Theory (ed. 2) vi. 177 A second practical method of obtaining good atomization over a wide range of fuel flow: the spill burner. It is virtually a simplex burner with a passage from the vortex chamber through which excess fuel can be spilled off.
1920E. Butler Internal Combustion Engine Design & Pract. (ed. 2) viii. 138 When used on an automobile, owing to vibration, they [sc. accumulator cells] should be occasionally examined for scaling or other damage, and also for loss of solution, if not *spill proof. 1944W. A. Koehler Princ. & Applications Electrochem. (ed. 2) II. iv. 69 A portable radio battery with a transparent plastic case and spill-proof cover. 1963Glamour Oct. 12/1 (Advt.), New spray mist! Unbreakable. Spill-proof... Intimate by Revlon.
1922Trans. Inst. Engineers & Shipbuilders Scotland LXV. 421 This *spill valve opens from the discharge chamber of the pump and is worked by the same lever as actuates the pump plunger. 1959Motor Manual (ed. 36) ii. 30 At a predetermined moment, this outlet is closed and fuel is then forced to the engine cylinder until a second outlet (commonly called a spill valve) is opened so as to release the pressure and return the surplus oil to the supply side of the system. 1975T. D. Morton Reed's Motor Engin. Knowledge for Marine Engineers iii. 77 A fuel spill valve (pneumatically loaded) maintains rail pressure as decided at the controls.
▪ V. spill, v.|spɪl|
Pa. tense and pple. spilled, spilt. Forms: inf. 1–2 spillan, 2–5 -en, 5 spyllyn; 3–6 spille, 4–6 spylle, 4–8 spil, 6 spyl(l; 4– spill. pa. tense 1–4 spilde (4 spild), 4 spilede, 5 spillide, spyllede, 5, 7– spilled; 4 spilte, 4–5 spylt, 5–6 spylte, 4– spilt. pa. pple. 1 ᵹespilled, -od, 2 i-spilled, 5–6 spylled, 5– spilled (7 spill'd); 1, 5–6 spild (6 spilde), 3–5 i-spild (4 i-spilde, i-spyld, y-spild, 5 y-spyld); 1, 4– spilt (4, 6 spilte), 4 y-spilt(e, y-spylt, 5–6 spylt(e.
[OE. spillan, = MDu. and Du. spillen, MLG. and LG. spillen, G. (ver)spillen, NFris. spille, spilj, obscurely related to the synonymous OE. spildan, = OS. spildian (MLG. and MDu. spilden), OHG. (obs. G.) spilden. It is not clear which of the two forms is represented by ON. spilla (Icel., Norw., Sw. spilla, Da. spilde), which may partly have contributed to the ME. uses of the word.]
I.
1. a. trans. To destroy by depriving of life; to put (or bring) to death; to slay or kill.
Common c 1300–1600. Now Obs. exc. arch.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xx. 16 [He] cymeð & spilleð buendo ðas. Ibid. John xi. 53 Of ðæm dæᵹe..ᵹeðohton [hia] þætte hine spildon uel acuoeldon. a1122O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1096, Ðær wearð eac Eoda..þæs cynges aðum..& sumne man to Lundene lædde, & þær spilde. c1175Lamb. Hom. 17 Ȝif heo nulluð nefre..gan to bote, hit is riht þet me hem spille. c1205Lay 16870 Let heom alle for-don, spillen & æc an-hon. c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 348 With þis Askebert heo spac, þis child to slen and spille. c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 4806 Androcheus saw his felon wille, Þat þe kyng þoughte hym to spille. 1387Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 253 [Þey] hadde leuere be lost and i-spilde þan be vnderlynges and seruauntes. 1418–20in Archaeol. (1827) XXI. 72 Whan thay had hym so gretly agylte, And of hys men meny one spylte. c1489Skelton Death Earl Northumbld. 106 Alas for pite! that Percy thus was spylt, The famous Erle of Northumberland. a1529― ‘Now synge we’ 14 Thus was I spylt, Man, for thy gylte, And not for myne. 1573L. Lloyd Marrow of Hist. (1653) 94 O Greece thou spillest more men with civil wars.., then would defend thy state against all the world. 1612T. Taylor Comm. Titus i. 7 Caring no more in their fury to spill a man, then to kill a dogge. 1868Morris Earthly Par. (1890) 44/2 Then if mine old line he must spill There let God save him if He will. 1887― Odyss. xi. 438 How many for Helen death did spill!
b. Contrasted with save.
13..K. Alis. 3997 (Laud. MS.), Þe kyng may don his will Sauen þat Percien oiþer hym spille. c1385Chaucer L.G.W. 1917 Ariadne, So that the site was al at his wille To sauyn hem hym leste or ellis spille. 1430–40Lydg. Bochas i. viii. (1544) 13 b, Ye may me saue and spill with a woord. 1526Skelton Magnyf. 1496 Surely it is I that all may saue and spyll. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 170 Thow may me saif, thow may me spill, Baith lyfe and deide lyis in thy will. 1620–16Quarles Feast for Worms 631 Wks. (Grosart) II. 14 Loue cry'd out, Hold; for better sau'd, then spill'd; But Feare cry'd, Kill.
c. refl. To destroy or kill (oneself).
c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xxix. (Placidas) 435 He..oft-tyme wes in to wil hyme-self in-to þe flud to spil. 1390Gower Conf. I. 328 In this wise himself he spilte With his folhaste and deth he nam. 1412–20Lydg. Chron. Troy ii. 4368 For into teris þouȝ þou al distille, And rende þi silfe, as þou woldest þe spille. 1480Robt. Devyll 68 in Hazl. E.P.P. I. 221 My wyfe soroweth in her partye, I feare that she wyll her selfe spyll. 1513Douglas æneid ii. x. 203 Gif thou list pas, quod scho, thi self to spill. c1550Rolland Crt. Venus iii. 39 Quhilk spilt hir self for luif of Pyramus. 1609Daniel Civ. Wars viii. xvii. Wks. (Grosart) II. 304 Thou first didst conquer vs; then rays'd our skill To vanquish others; here our selues to spill.
†d. absol. To cause death or slaughter. Freq. contrasted with save, spare, etc. Obs.
a1300Cursor M. 16330 Ne wat þou þat þe pouste es min to spill or latte ga? 1390Gower Conf. II. 114 For he to spille and noght to save Is schape, as thogh he were ded. a1400–50Alexander 1318 With þat Bucifalon..he brased in þe side, Springis out with a spere, spillis at þe gaynest. 1412–20Lydg. Chron. Troy iv. 3317 Vn-to þe tyme þei haue of þe toun..ful possessioun, At her fre wil to spillen and to saue. c1485Digby Myst. (1882) ii. 233 For he hath the pour of the princes alle, To saue or spylle. 1576G. Pettie Petite Pallace 78 Women ought to..spyll with Camma, to kyll with Lucrece. 1580Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 452 Thinking no reuenge more princely, then to spare when she might spill. a1618Sylvester Panaretus 1546, I know it far more honourable To save then spill (in Cases tolerable). 1627E. F. Hist. Edw. II (1680) 72 To save where you may spill proclaims your Goodness.
2. To destroy or put an end to (life). Now arch.
In later use perh. associated with sense 9.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. Luke xvii. 33 Seðe suahuelc soecað sauel his hal ᵹewyrca spilleð hia. 13..K. Alis. 1062 (Laud MS.), Miȝth she haue yfounde a knijf, She had yspilt sone her lijf. c1430Sir Gener. (Roxb.) 9738 Thogh my life in erth be spilt, Gladly I wold my soul saue. 1549–62Sternhold & H. Ps. xxxv. 4 Confound them with rebuke and blame that seeke my soule to spill. 1590Spenser F.Q. iii. vii. 54, I..Bad her commaund my life to saue, or spill. 1642H. More Song of Soul ii. ii. iii. viii, Ay me! that dreary death such lovely life should spill. 1650Fuller Pisgah ii. xii. 249 Behold his life spilled, whilest wicked Balaams was spared in journey. a1668R. Lassels Voy. Italy (1698) I. 4 You must carry your body steadily, or else spill your life. 1813Scott Trierm. ii. xxii, But trust me, that, if life be spilt,..in Arthur's grace Gyneth shall lose a daughter's place.
†3.
a. To destroy, ruin, or overthrow (a person); to bring to ruin or misery. Obs.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. John vi. 39 Þætte all þæt salde me ne ic losiᵹe uel þætte ic ne spillo. c1205Lay. 28863 Ah he nes noht iseli; þat wes for unleoden spilden al his þeoden. c1275in O.E. Misc. 144 Þat folk worþ eft wroþe i-spild þe nule to hire turne. c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 13624 Þer hardinesse þem seluen spild! c1386Chaucer Manciple's T. 326 Ful ofte for to muche speche Hath many a man been spilt as clerkes teche. c1425MS. Digby 233 fol. 224 b/1 Necligence & mysavisement spilleth, perscheth, & leseth hem þat ben vnkunnynge. 1526Tindale Heb. ii. 1 We ought moche more to attende vnto tho thynges which we have herde, lest we be spilt. 1583Babington Commandm. viii. (1590) 344 This spoyle to speede our selues, and spill our Brethren in this lamentable and vnmercifull manner. 1615T. Adams Black Devil 25 Hee walkes any way, to spill any man by any meanes. 1642H. More Song of Soul ii. iii. iv. xxx, Why had the first-made man such a loose will, That his innumerous of-spring he should fouly spill.
refl.a1300Cursor M. 17226 But i þat es sa dedli dill, Me spedis ai me-self to spill, Wit my flexsli lust to fill. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xxix. (Placidas) 148 Quhen man for his gylt brekand my byding hymself spilt. c1460Vrbanitatis 82 in Babees Bk. 15 With fayr speche þou may haue þy wylle, And with þy speche þou may þe spylle. 1526Skelton Magnyf. 2165 Some fall to foly them selfe for to spyll. 1584–7Greene Carde of Fancie Wks. (Grosart) IV. 134, I will either spoile him, or spill my selfe. 1602Shakes. Ham. iv. v. 20 So full of Artlesse iealousie is guilt, It spill's it selfe, in fearing to be spilt.
†b. To destroy or ruin (the soul) by offending, or causing to offend, against moral laws. Obs.
c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 131 Þe honour of holi churche he lore, and is soule he miȝte so spille. c1340Hampole Pr. Consc. 1320 And welthes..þe saul of man may lightly spille. c1375Cursor M. 2902 (Fairf.), Mony mon for þaire awen wil þaire body and þaire saule wil spil. 1509Hawes Conv. Swearers 29 Wo worthe couetyse that dothe your soules spyll. 1556in W. H. Turner Select. Rec. Oxford (1880) 246 Other..lamented, to see him spill his soul, wretchedly. 1623R. Carpenter Consc. Chr. 110 So the least sinne..vncontrolled [is sufficient] to spill the soule.
†c. To injure in respect of character; to spoil morally. Obs.
1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 41 Who-so spareth þe sprynge, spilleth his children. 1393[see spare v.1 6 a. α]. c1500Lancelot 1990 It stant apone thi will For to omend thi puple, or to spill; Or have thi court of vertewis folk, or fullis. 1551Robinson tr. More's Utopia (1895) 50 Gentlemen vouchesauffe to corrupte and spill none but picked and chosen men. 1637Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. xcix. 254 Verily, we know not what an evil it is to spill and indulge ourselves and to make an idol of our will. 1657R. Austen Fruit-trees ii. 84 The common saying is: Spare the rod and spill the child. 1664[see spare v.1 6 a. (a)].
†4.
a. To wreck, destroy, or devastate; to spoil or ruin by demolition, etc. Obs.
Freq. from c 1400 to c 1620. In first quot. absol.
c950Lindisf. Gosp. John x. 10 Ðeaf ne cymes buta þætte ᵹestele & eteð & losað uel spilleð. c1125O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1125, On ðes ilces ᵹeares wearð swa micel flod..þet feola tunes & men weorðan adrencte,..& corn & mædwe spilt mid ealle. c1225in Rel. Antiq. I. 48 The strong fend..Godes hondiwerc he spilde, For on appel of the tree. a1300Cursor M. 720 A-ganis godd wex he sa gril Þat al his werk he wend to spil. 1340Ayenb. 129 Vor þou art ase þe ilke þet slepþ ine þe ssipe þet is yspild. 1412–20Lydg. Chron. Troy i. 3904 Her behestes manly to fulfille, Towardis Troye, þe cite for to spille. c1470Henry Wallace viii. 731 Palyce thai spylt, gret towris can confound. 1532G. Hervet Xenoph. Househ. 16 b, The dogges kepe away wylde beastis, that they spille not the frute. 1573Tusser Husb. (1878) 109 Let Iuie be killed, else tree will be spilled. 1608Topsell Serpents 39 Conyza strewed, the haunt of serpents spills. 1623C. Butler Fem. Mon. vii. Q 2, The Mother-Waspes were many at first; yet the Rainie Spring and Summer did so spill their nests, that there were no small Waspes seene till Libra.
†b. With immaterial object. Obs.
Not always clearly distinguishable from 5 d.
1382Wyclif Pref. Ep. Jerome v, Verreye wisdom shal spil the fals wisdom. 1382― Gen. xli. 31 The greetnes of myseys is to spille the greetnes of plentithe. a1400Sir Perc. 1336 A sadde stroke I salle one hym sett His pride for to spylle! c1420Chron. Vilod. 2150 Þat feyndus powere y dude þo spylle By help of þo angels, þat comen me to. 1567Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 134 Man, I gaif the nocht fre will, That thow suld my Gospell spill. 1602J. Davies (Heref.) Mirum in Modum Wks. (Grosart) I. 25/2 Naturally Contraries spill each other.
5.
†a. To despoil or deprive of something. Obs.
c1124O.E. Chron. (Laud MS.) an. 1124, Six men [wæron] spilde of here æᵹon & of here stanes.
†b. To deprive of chastity; to violate. Obs.
13..Sir Beues (A.) 3256 Doþ be me al ȝoure wille, Schel he neuer eft wimman spille! c1375Sc. Leg. Saints xi. (Simon & Judas) 350 [She] sad, þat he agane hir will hyre difforsit, & sa cane spill. c1470Henry Wallace i. 164 Both wiffis, wedowis, thai tuk all at thair will, Nonnys, madyns, quham thai likit to spill.
c. To spoil by injuring or damaging in some way; to render imperfect or useless; to destroy the goodness or value of (a thing). Now only dial.
a1300Cursor M. 6774 If i lent þe suilkin beist, Þat ded be or spilt at leist. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 442, [I have] yspilte many a tyme Bothe flesche & fissche and many other vitailles. c1420Avow. Arth. iii, On him spild I my spere, And myculle of my nothir gere. 1532–3Acc. Ld. High Treas. Scot. VI. 151 Item, to him for hors spilt in the Kingis service,..xl li. 1589Puttenham Eng. Poesie iii. i. (Arb.) 150 They not onely guie it no maner of grace at all, but rather do disfigure the stuffe and spill the whole workmanship. 1643Trapp Comm. Gen. xxxiv. 8 Too much severity overthroweth, and quite spilleth a tender minde. 1703Brand Descr. Orkney, Zetland, etc. 112 When he Brewed, he would not suffer any Sacrifice to be given to Brouny, whereupon the..Brewings were spilt and for no use. 1773Fergusson Poems (1789) II. 43 Ae scabbit yew spills twenty flocks. 1861Geo. Eliot Silas M. xiv, If you've got anything as can be spilt or broke,..she'll be at it. 1875–87in dial. glossaries (Sussex, Surrey, Kent).
d. With immaterial object. Obs. or dial.
a1300Cursor M. 26841 Qua all fulfilles þe laght, and in a point it spilles, He sal be plighti for þis an. c1375Sc. Leg. Saints iii. (Andrew) 926 Þat oþir worthit me do his will, or halely my purpos spill. c1400Destr. Troy 12736 Whille he faryn was to fight in a fer lond, Sho spilt hade hir spousaile. 1483Caxton G. de la Tour K viij b, Of her..that of her falshede..breketh and spylleth her holy sacrement of maryage. 1500–20Dunbar Poems xv. 22 He that dois all his best servyiss May spill it all..Be fowll inoportunitie. 1568T. Howell Newe Sonets (1879) 148 She geues him leaue to range his fill, Full loth she is his sporte to spill. 1590Greene Mourn. Garm. (1616) 14 For cares cause Kings full oft their sleepe to spill. c1620Hume Orthogr. Brit. Tongue (1865) 22 In al quhilk, if a man change the accent, he sall spill the sound of the word. 1632Rutherford Lett. (1862) I. xxii. 87 If ye mar or spill that business, ye cannot come back to mend that piece of work again. 1728Ramsay Robt., Richy, & Sandy 115 These to repeat braid spoken I wad spill, Altho' I should employ my utmost skill. 1790Shirrefs Poems 92 Tak' tent..the sport ye dinna spill.
†6.
a. To waste by scattering, squandering, or misusing; to employ or expend wastefully. Obs.
a1000Rituale Eccl. Dunelm. 55 Ic ᵹisette ðec ofer cynno & ofer rico þæte..[ðv] to worpa & ðv spilla [L. disperdas et dissipes]. c1200Trin. Coll. Hom. 213 He..spilleð on him þat he sholde spelien wrecche men. 1308in Ritson Songs & Ball. (1877) 63/96 Throgh ham this lond is ilor To spille ale ant bred. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. v. 380 I..spilte þat myȝte be spared, and spended on somme hungrie. c1460J. Russell Bk. Nurture 47 And to þy mastir be trew, his goodes þat þow not spille. 1533More Debell. Salem Wks. 959/2 Euery fond piece of his diuises, wherein this good man is content to leese tyme & spyll paper. 1551Crowley Pleas. & Pain 117 When any pore men..were so bolde to calle it yll, My landis and goodis in waste to spyll, You shet them vp in prisone strong. 1579Lyly Euphues (Arb.) 109 All my treasure spente on Iewells, and spylte in iolytye. 1633P. Fletcher Purple Isl. viii. xxix, His spear a spit, a pot-lid broad his shield..: his word, ‘Much better sav'd, then spill'd’. 1728Young Love Fame i. 186 Men, overloaded with a large estate, May spill their treasure in a nice conceit. 1786Har'st Rig 51 Nae gude I e'er kent come o' them Gude food that spill.
†b. To spend (time, speech, labour) fruitlessly or unprofitably; to waste. Obs.
(a)a1250Owl & Night. 1020 He myhte bet sytte stylle, Vor al his hwile he scolde spille. c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 97 For þov nast non more ȝwile to spille, þane speken embe nouȝt. c1330R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 9354 Al a wyke þe kyng þer lay, He spilte his tyme, sped of no pray. 1393Langl. P. Pl. C. iv. 466 Ech man to..Spynnen, and spek of god, and spille no tyme. c1450Lovelich Merlin 12462 Ȝe don but spillen ȝoure tyme jn veyn.
(b)a1225Juliana 24 Speche þu maht spillen ant ne speden nawiht. a1250Owl & Night. 1027 Ne sunge ich hom neuer so longe, Mi song were i-spild ech del. c1290S. Eng. Leg. I. 69 Þar-aboute þou spillest þi brethþ. 1377Langl. P. Pl. B. ix. 97 He doth best, þat with-draweth hym..To spille any speche. 1390Gower Conf. I. 82 He spilleth many a word in wast That schal with such a poeple trete. 1445in Anglia XXVIII. 273 Ner thou spekist not sternely to hem,..ne spillest no wynde for pride. a1536Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 43 Leve þi sweryng, & spill not þi wynde. a1586Sidney Ps. xi. i, Since I do trust Iehoua still, Your fearfull wordes why do you spill?
(c)c1386Chaucer Manciple's T. 153 This holde I for a verray nycetee To spille labour for to kepe wyues. c1425Craft of Nombrynge (E.E.T.S.) 14 Ellis þou mayst spyl alle þi laber þere aboute.
†7.
a. intr. To perish; to be destroyed or lost. Obs.
Freq. from c 1300 to c 1550.
a1300K. Horn 194 Nu þu miȝt us slen,..Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille Helpe þat we ne spille. 1340Ayenb. 182 Spilþ ofte þet ssip þet geþ zikerliche ine þe heȝe ze. c1350Will. Palerne 1535 Mi perles paramours, my pleye & my ioye, spek to me spakli, or i spille sone. 1414Brampton Penit. Ps. (Percy Soc.) 11 But, Lord! late nevere mannes soule spylle. c1450Mirk's Festial 13 Suche a derth and hongyr..þat all negh spylleden for defawte. a1536Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 8 Yff thy syn be never so yll, Yet for no syn thou shalt spyll. 1592Daniel Sonnets Delia xxxvi. Wks. (Grosart) I. 61 Her sight consented thus to see me spill.
†b. To go to ruin. Obs.
a1300Cursor M. 516 Adam..was wroght þan þe tent ordir for to fullfill, þat lucifer did for to spill. 1535Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 532 Seand the realme in sic ane poynt to spill. 1567Satir. Poems Reform. v. 48 Bot now..Sho moste be keipit or all will spill.
†c. To meet with bad fortune. Obs.—1
1390Gower Conf. II. 88 And natheles gret diligence Thei setten vpon thilke dede, And spille more than thei spede.
8. To fall off or decline in respect of good qualities; to degenerate or deteriorate, to spoil. Obs. exc. dial.
a1300Salomon & Sat. (1848) 271 Mote hit al habben is wille Woltou, nultou, hit wol spille, Ant bicome a fule. 13..K. Alis. 1719 (Laud MS.), Alisaunder! þou conion wood, In þe spilleþ þi faye blood. 1340Ayenb. 232 Þet þe guodnesse of maydenhod ne spille ine þe. 1387–8T. Usk Test. Love i. i. (Skeat) I. 7 Thus from my comfort I ginne to spille, sith she that shulde me solace is fer fro my presence. a1450Le Morte Arth. 23 How your courte by-gynnyth to spill off duoghty knightis all by-dene. 1540R. Hyrde tr. Vives' Instr. Chr. Wom. (1592) Dd vj, My goods spil daily, the heritage of mine ancestry perisheth. 1574–5Reg. Privy Council Scot. II. 432 That the tymmer of the Frater of the said Abbay, quhilk consumis and spillis,..be tane doun. 1808Jamieson s.v., Meat is said to spill, when it begins to become putrid.
II.
9. trans. To shed (blood).
a1125Gosp. Nicodemus (Cott. Vesp. D xiv) 91 b, Seo ᵹebletsod se þe nolde þæt min bold wære ᵹespillod [earlier text min blod nolde aᵹeotan]. a1300Cursor M. 2958 Þai reft þam aght and spilt þair blode. a1340Hampole Psalter xiii. 6 Swift ere þaire fete to spill blode. c1400Rowland & O. 816 His hert blode he gan þer spill. 1474Caxton Chesse 41 To shede and spylle blood is the condicion of a wylde beste. 1526Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 205 His bolde spylled and shedde on the grounde. 1595–7Daniel Civ. Wars iv. xliv. Wks. (Grosart) II. 151, I constrayned am this bloud to spill. 1638Junius Paint. Ancients 131 A great deal of bloud would have been spilled that day between them two. c1680Beveridge Serm. (1729) I. 506 That very blood which was spilt upon the cross. 1761Hume Hist. Eng. (1806) III. 790 After spilling an ocean of blood in those theological quarrels. 1829Hood Eugene Aram xiii, Woe, woe, unutterable woe,—Who spill life's sacred stream! 1848Gallenga Italy (1851) 279 To account for the blood thus wantonly spilt. 1855Tennyson Maud ii. v. x, The red life spilt for a private blow.
10. a. To allow or cause (a liquid) to fall, pour, or run out (esp. over the edge of the containing vessel), usually in an accidental or wasteful manner; to lose or waste in this way.
a1340Hampole Psalter xxi. 13 Þai roght na mare to sla me þan to spill watere. c1340Nominale (Skeat) 356 [Mau] of chirne mylke spilluth. c1440Promp. Parv. 469 Spyllyn, or puttyn owte (K. powryn owte), effundo. 1489Caxton Faytes of A. ii. xxxvii. 155 They shall lightly spylle the watre castyng the tubbes and other vesselles dounward. 1530Palsgr. 728/2 Who hath spylled his potage upon the boorde clothe on this facyon? 1602Marston Ant. & Mel. v. Wks. 1856 I. 56 Holde my dish, whilst I spill my pottage. 1636B. Jonson Discov. Wks. (Rtldg.) 750 Their arguments are as fluxive as liquor spilt upon a table. 1779Mirror No. 64, Like claret spilt on a smooth table. 1794Mrs. Radcliffe Myst. Udolpho li, Emily's hand trembled, and she spilt the wine as she withdrew it from her lips. 1827Faraday Chem. Manip. i. (1842) 17 Any of the metal [sc. mercury] which may be spilled is swept or wiped into the groove. 1859Dickens T. Two Cities i. v, The wine had stained the ground of the narrow street..where it was spilled. 1885–94R. Bridges Eros & Psyche July xxvi, The lamp..One drop of burning oil spill'd from its side On Eros' naked shoulder.
transf.1818Byron Ch. Har. iv. clxxiii, The..wind..which spills The ocean o'er its boundary. 1847Tennyson Princ. vii. 197 Leave The monstrous ledges there to slope, and spill Their thousand wreaths of dangling water-smoke.
absol.1820Scott Monast. Introd. Ep., It is difficult, saith the proverb, to carry a full cup without spilling. 1887J. Dickie Wds. Faith, Hope, & Love (1891) 197 My cup runneth over. It cannot be moved without spilling.
b. fig. and in fig. context.
In quot. 1574 = ‘to divulge, let out’; (see sense 16 a for 20th-c use).
1574Hellowes tr. Gueuara's Fam. Ep. (1577) 257 Although it be a shame to spill it, I will not leaue to say that which..his friends haue said vnto me. 1583Greene Mamillia Wks. (Grosart) II. 55 He doubted if he should be ouer bold, he might spill his pottage. 1650T. B[ayley] Worcester's Apoph. Ep. Ded., That the favours which were conferr'd upon me, were not spilt, but powred into a Violl. 1701Stanhope Pious Breath. iv. xiii. 276 The love of Sin pollutes, the love of Vanity spills the Wine. 1821Shelley Adonais xxxvii, Be thou free To spill the venom when thy fangs o'erflow. 1894Harper's Mag. Feb. 380 The fat's in the fire, the milk's spilt.
c. transf. (See quot.)
1870J. K. Medbery Men & Myst. Wall Str. 137 Spilling stock, when great quantities of a stock are thrown upon the market, sometimes from necessity, often in order to ‘break’ the price.
11. To scatter, esp. by emptying from some receptacle or the like; to disperse.
a1300Cursor M. 14733 Þe moneurs for þair misgilt, Þair bordes [Jesus] ouerkest, þair penis spilt. a1400–50Alexander 1419 Spedely with spry[n]galdis [they] spilt þaire braynes. a1425tr. Arderne's Treat. Fistula 35 Be þe tonges warly drawen out þat þai spill noȝt þe poudre. c1440Pallad. on Husb. iv. 402 Or in a seriol half water fild..let hem suspende, And close hit fast, in wynde lest they be spild. 1710Philips Pastorals iv. 72 As ruthless Winds the tender Blossoms spill. 1825T. Hook Sayings Ser. ii. Man of Many Fr. I. 189 She is spilling all the sugar all over the table. 1847Tennyson Princ. iv. 511 Better have died and spilt our bones in the flood.
transf.1854Mrs. Browning Ragged Schools London xii, But these others—children small, Spilt like blots about the city.
12. a. To cover or overlay with something by (or as by) spilling. rare.
1596Spenser F.Q. iv. x. 5 Though..all the others pauement were with yuory spilt. 1895Baring-Gould Noémi xxiv. (ed. 2) 336 The clouds were dispersing..; the floor of heaven was, as it were, spilt over with curds. 1918D. H. Lawrence New Poems 30 In the street spilled over splendidly With wet, flat lights.
b. To empty (a cup, etc.) by spilling. rare.
1886J. Dickie Wds. Faith, Hope, & Love (1891) 147 'Twas anguish when earth's cup was spill'd.
13. Naut.
a. To empty (a sail) of wind.
a1625Nomenclator Nav. (Harl. MS. 2301), When a sail hath much winde in it..we saie Spill the saile, which is done by letting goe the sheats and bowlings, &c. 1633T. James Voy. 95 The rest stood to spill and fill the sayle. a1691Sir D. North in North Lives (1744) 15 He was sure to be duck'd that was at the Yard-arm spilling the Sail. 1769Falconer Dict. Marine (1780), To Spill, to discharge the wind out of the cavity or belly of a sail when it is drawn up in the brails in order to furl or reef it. 1867Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 565 When the wind was going free, and the sail could not be ‘spilled’. 1899F. T. Bullen Log Sea-waif 190 She..rounded-to under our stern and ‘spilled’ her sail.
b. To discharge (wind) from the belly of a sail, or air from a parachute.
1875Knight Dict. Mech. 2268/1 Spilling-line, a line to spill the wind out of a sail, by keeping it from bellying out when clewed up. 1899Daily News 20 Oct. 5/7 His club-topsail began to spill wind badly, and he gained nothing. 1925Literary Digest 11 July 25/1 Used as a dividing mark in folding the parachute, and also to ‘spill’ the wind out of it after a landing. 1942A. M. Low Parachutes in Peace & War iii. 48 The parachute might ‘spill air’ & drop faster. 1976A. White Long Silence vii. 59 Spill air, ride the motion down as rapidly as is safe. Look around..trying to make out the other parachutes.
14. colloq.
a. To cause to fall from a horse or vehicle; to throw or throw out.
1731–8Swift Polite Conv. 70 The road was so bad that I..call'd to the Coachman, Pray, Friend, don't spill us. 1785Grose Dict. Vulgar T., Spilt, thrown from a horse, or over⁓turned in a carriage; pray coachee don't spill us. 1809European Mag. LV. 20 The parson..met with a serious accident in being spilt from his horse. 1821Byron Lett. Wks. 1833 III. 301 Riding pretty sharply.., in turning the corner of a lane.., he was spilt. 1887H. Smart Cleverly Won iii, It was a trick that might have spilled a practised horseman.
b. Similarly in other contexts. Also with out.
1850Scoresby Cheever's Whalem. Adv. vi. 82 He..spills us all at once into the sea. 1861S. Brooks Silver Cord xxvii, ‘Mop, you old fool, will you come down?’ said the manager, spilling out the reluctant animal [from the chair] to the ground. 1881Scribner's Monthly XXII. 536/1 She [the ice-yacht] slows up and heels over,..and she quietly spills the crew out of the box.
fig.1888Pall Mall G. 29 Nov. 1/1 An intrigue..to spill Sir Charles and then to secure Mr. Monro's appointment to the vacant post.
15. a. intr. To flow or run over the brim or side; to escape or be wasted in this manner. Freq. with preps. and advs. Also fig.
1655Vaughan Silex Scint. ii. 174 Life without thee is loose and spills. 1683Moxon Mech. Exerc., Printing xix. ⁋1 The Mettal may spill or slabber over the Mouth of..the Mold. 1741Watts Improv. Mind i. ix. Wks. 1753 V. 238 He was so top-full of himself, that he let it spill on all the company;..he spoke too long. 1771Phil. Trans. LXI. 496 To prevent the liquor from spilling when poured out. 1875Knight Dict. Mech. 2268/1 Any metal which dribbles or spills is caught into the spill trough. 1899F. H. King Irrigation & Drainage vi. 246 A long, sharp lip, over which the water may spill back into the canal.
transf.1884Burroughs Pepacton 217 Its body slumps off, and rolls and spills down the hill. 1900Cent. Mag. Feb. 510/1 The reaches of this majestic range run south..until they spill out in the far Southwest. 1920H. Crane Let. 14 Apr. (1965) 37 A mood which rose and spilled over in a slightly cruder form than what you see. 1962Amer. Speech XXXVII. 17 The metropolitan area of New York City..has spilled into the surrounding countryside, engulfing cities and communities which had their own economic and cultural centers. 1962A. Nisbett Technique of Sound Studio iv. 84 Where a tape has spilled and wound round the spindle and become crumpled, speech recordings are often still playable. 1972B. Moore Catholics i. 17 An anchor spilled like entrails from its bow, falling deep into the sea. 1976Times 10 Sept. 1/6 Cape riots spill into white zones. The anti-apartheid rioting spilled out of Cape Town and spread into white areas of Cape Province. 1976P. & W. Proctor Women in Pulpit vii. 124 Although Connie Parvey is primarily a campus chaplain, her work in this case spilled over into the role of hospital chaplain.
b. Naut. To empty or become void of wind.
1762Falconer Shipwr. ii. 139 Till close embrail'd, and squar'd, the belly spills. 1833Marryat P. Simple xv. (1863) 103 The ship turned slowly to the wind, pitching and chopping as the sails were spilling.
16. a. trans. To utter (words); to confess or divulge (facts). slang (orig. U.S.).
[1574: see sense 10 b.] 1917R. W. Lardner Gullible's Travels 213 ‘Go ahead and spill it,’ I says. 1920C. Sandburg Smoke & Steel 44 Men at tables spill Peloponnesian syllables. 1923‘B. M. Bower’ Parowan Bonanza iv. 47 Maybe he taught the parrot that lingo just to have her spill it in town and start a rush. 1925E. Wallace King by Night xxxi. 143 Spill it quick, Goldy. 1944[see oil n.1 3 j]. 1953K. Tennant Joyful Condemned xxiv. 233 She was going to spill everything to him..She would have pooled you, too. 1973‘B. Mather’ Snowline vi. 70 You didn't come down here.. just to tempt me..with a beer. Spill it. 1977I. Shaw Beggarman, Thief ii. i. 119 He picked up the phone to call the Colonel, spill everything.
b. to spill the beans: to reveal a secret. slang (orig. U.S.).
1919T. K. Holmes Man from Tall Timber xxviii. 355 ‘Mother certainly has spilled the beans!’ thought Stafford in vast amusement. 1921R. D. Paine Comr. Rolling Ocean viii. 136 The beans are spilled, and that is what Maddigan guessed the moment he set eyes on you. 1928[see clean a. 3 g]. 1929E. Linklater Poet's Pub vii. 91 ‘Tell me the truth,’ she says. ‘Spill the beans, Holly, old man!’ 1945Sun (Baltimore) 28 Nov. 1/1 A Government publication in this country spilled the beans concerning our urgent interest in experiments with uranium. 1958E. Dundy Dud Avocado i. vi. 93 Spilling beans of shattering truths or equally shattering lies. 1966D. Varaday Gara-Yaka's Domain vii. 82 Wilson in an indulgent moment of weakness ‘spilt the beans’. 1979G. Hammond Dead Game vii. 83 You asked me to trust you... So now I think you'd better spill the beans. 1982Listener 23–30 Dec. 3/1 Julian Critchley spills the beans about El Vino and says why he likes it.
c. to spill one's guts (out): to divulge as much as one can, to confess. slang (chiefly U.S.).
1927C. F. Coe Me—Gangster iv. 78 ‘Throw him out, eh?’ the old man snarled... ‘Throw him out an' have him spill his guts about the whole gang?’ 1945S. J. Baker Austral. Lang. vii. 140 To hold one's guts, to be silent, and to spill one's guts, to talk, reveal a secret. 1973Black Panther 8 Sept. 10/3 Mistakenly believing that Haldeman and another assistant had told the truth during previous questioning, Butterfield spilled his guts out. 1979‘A. Hailey’ Overload iii. viii. 226 The kid—he was eighteen, by the way, and not long out of trade school—broke down and spilled his guts.
Add:[II.] [10.] d. Sport. To drop (the ball); esp. in Cricket, to put down (a catch). colloq.
1975Sunday Times 22 June 24/4 Seven catches were put down... Edwards..spilt Lloyd at mid-wicket off Lillee. 1976J. Snow Cricket Rebel 114 Some poor fielding on our part which saw four chances spilled in the slips. 1990Sunday Times 11 Feb. b6/5 He was formidable in the tackle and never spilled or gave up the ball when he took the French midfield head on. |