Spout
/spaʊt/
A spout is a tube or opening for liquid, and as a verb it means to gush or flow out.
Examples
- The garden spout leaked after a heavy rain.
- The river spouts over the rocks after the storm.
- When the faucet was turned on, water surged from the spout.
- Spout of the kettle whistled loudly as the water boiled.
- The geyser spouted steam every few minutes.
Meanings
Derived from the Old English verb spūtan meaning to spray, which gave the noun sense of a projecting tube for liquid.
Examples
- Spout of the kettle whistled loudly as the water boiled.
- The garden spout leaked after a heavy rain.
- She adjusted the spout on the teapot to control the flow.
- A decorative spout crowned the ancient amphora.
- When the faucet was turned on, water surged from the spout.
The verb evolved from the sense of projecting water to broader uses such as ideas or emotions spilling forth.
Examples
- The river spouts over the rocks after the storm.
- She spouted off jokes during the meeting.
- The fountain spouted water into the plaza.
- He spouted rumors that quickly spread across the office.
- The geyser spouted steam every few minutes.