Spat"ter (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Spattered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Spattering.] [From the root of spit salvia.]

1.

To sprinkle with a liquid or with any wet substance, as water, mud, or the like; to make wet of foul spots upon by sprinkling; as, to spatter a coat; to spatter the floor; to spatter boots with mud.

Upon any occasion he is to be spattered over with the blood of his people. Burke.

2.

To distribute by sprinkling; to sprinkle around; as, to spatter blood.

Pope.

3.

Fig.: To injure by aspersion; to defame; to soil; also, to throw out in a defamatory manner.

 

© Webster 1913.


Spat"ter, v. i.

To throw something out of the mouth in a scattering manner; to sputter.

That mind must needs be irrecoverably depraved, which, . . . tasting but once of one just deed, spatters at it, and abhors the relish ever after. Milton.

 

© Webster 1913.