Background for sputter

sputter

/ˈspʌtɚ/

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noun

Moist matter thrown out in small detached particles.

Examples :

"The spilled juice created a sputter of sticky droplets on the countertop. "

body physiology substance

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noun

Confused and hasty speech.

Examples :

"His sputter about the project's problems was confusing and didn't seem to make much sense. "

language communication sound

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verb

To emit saliva or spit from the mouth in small, scattered portions, as in rapid speaking.

Examples :

"The nervous student sputtered out his answer, droplets of saliva flying from his mouth as he tried to explain the complicated math problem. "

physiology body communication language sound action

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verb

To speak so rapidly as to emit saliva; to utter words hastily and indistinctly, with a spluttering sound, as in rage.

Examples :

""Enraged by the accusation, Mark began to sputter, his words flying out in a messy rush with flecks of saliva." "

language sound communication action

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verb

To throw out anything, as little jets of steam, with a noise like that made by one sputtering.

Examples :

"The old engine sputtered and coughed, throwing out puffs of white steam. "

sound action physics machine

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verb

To cause surface atoms or electrons of a solid to be ejected by bombarding it with heavy atoms or ions.

Examples :

"The scientist's experiment sputtered the metal sample, knocking loose surface atoms. "

physics material science technology

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verb

To coat the surface of an object by sputtering.

Examples :

"The scientist sputtered a thin layer of titanium onto the metal parts for the new engine. "

technology material science