spatteringn.
1. The action of splashing or sprinkling, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of splashing > [noun] > slightly
spattering1604
sparge1808
spatteration1853
1604 T. Middleton Blacke Bk. in Wks. (1885) VIII. 40 The lamentable spattering of his pearl-colour silk stockings.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Crachement, a spitting, spatling, spattering, spawling.
1788 G. Keate Acct. Pelew Islands xv. 179 (note) It is probable that the spattering of it on their naked bodies might create an unpleasant sensation.
1809 A. Wilson Foresters in Port Folio Nov. 563 A fleet of ducks..alarm'd, with sudden spattering soar.
1854 N. Hawthorne Jrnl. 20 Sept. in Eng. Notebks. (1997) I. ii. 129 Little spatterings of rain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > superficial knowledge > [noun] > instance of
smatteringa1538
smatch1571
smackering1579
delibation1619
spatteringa1662
smatter1668
a1662 P. Heylyn Cyprianus Anglicus (1668) 317 A small spattering in the Hebrew, made him subject unto some suspicion of Heretical Fancies.
3. A noise (esp. that made by bullets) suggestive of the fall or impact of heavy drops.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [noun] > pattering or spattering
pit-a-pat1582
pit-a-pat-ationa1735
squatter1788
pattering1798
patter1822
splatter1827
pit-a-patting1844
pat1846
pitter-patter1863
spattering1866
1866 Ann. Reg. 230 Suddenly..a spattering of musketry breaks out.
1870 Daily News 29 Oct. 6/2 A steady spattering of independent fire, could be heard.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
spatteringadj.
That spatters, in senses of the verb.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [adjective] > pattering or spattering
spattering1576
tattling1576
pittering1594
pit-a-pata1637
pattering1697
pit-a-patting1844
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > going or coming out > [adjective] > suddenly or violently > in drops or particles
spitting1567
spattering1576
fuzzing1775
spurting1821
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of splashing > [adjective] > splashing or dashing > slightly
spattering1576
1576 T. Newton tr. L. Lemnie Touchstone of Complexions ii. ii. f. 92 His beard sluttish, dryueling & filthy, wt spattering sneuel deformed.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Crache en-ruelle, a spawling, or spattering fellow.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 567 They..instead of Fruit Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste With spattering noise rejected. View more context for this quotation
1708 J. Philips Cyder i. 28 With a writhen mouth and spattering noise He tastes the bitter morsel.
1817 W. Scott Rob Roy III. iii. 86 A continued spattering fire, in which every shot was multiplied by a thousand echoes.
1849 E. B. Eastwick Dry Leaves 27 A sudden squall, which..sprinkled us with a spattering rain.
1883 Mag. of Art Sept. 470/2 What heaps of linen! What a spattering fire of blows!
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1913; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1604adj.1576