[Of obscure origin: cf. MHG. and G. dial. spirzen to spit, Icel. (17th c.) spirta (fig.) to utter. The form SPURT v.1 is recorded a little earlier.]
1. intr. Of liquids (or small objects): To spring or burst out in a small quantity but with some force; to issue in a jet.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, III. (Arb.), 71. From that stub lykewise foorth spirt drops bluddelye stilling.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 314. Beer or ale while it is new and full of Spirit (so that it Spirteth when the Stopple is taken forth).
1668. Wilkins, Real Char., 105. That whose seed when ripe will spirt out of the cod.
1692. Ray, Disc., I. iii. (1693), 42. The water breaks forth with great force,… spirting several fathoms high.
1728. Pope, Dunc., II. 178. Thus the small jett … Spirts in the gardner’s eyes who turns the cock.
1758. Reid, trans. Macquer’s Chym., I. 136. This spirts out in fine small jets.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., xiv. Upon whose muslin robe a part of the victim’s blood had spirted.
1844. Thackeray, Contrib. to Punch, Wks. 1898, VI. 74. His coat and waistcoat buttons spirt violently off his garments.
1905. J. B. Firth, Highw. & Byways Derbyshire, xxv. 369. Through the sluices at the sides the water was spirting gaily.
fig. c. 1826. Landor, Imag. Conv., Wks. 1846, I. 190. Wit vibrates and spirts.
2. trans. To send out in a jet or slender rapid stream; to squirt.
1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, II. (Arb.), 59. [The adder] with toonge three forcked furth spirts fyre freshlye regendred.
1625. Purchas, Pilgrims, II. 1827. The Rose water that was spirted by little young Jewes.
1635. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Banish’d Virg., 203. Others were busied in spirting and sprinkling water in her face.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., IV. 622. His finny Flocks … rowling round him, spirt the bitter Sea.
1796. Mme. D’Arblay, Camilla, I. 149. The same gentleman … was now spirting lavender water all about him.
1817. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xvii. (1818), II. 73. A pair [of ants] … rearing upon their hind-legs mutually spirt their acid.
1843. Thackeray, Irish Sk. Bk., ii. A tablecloth, over which a waiter has just spirted a pint of obstreperous cider.
1895. Sir H. Maxwell, Duke of Britain, v. 72. Fill your mouth with water and spirt it into the opening.
fig. 1582. Stanyhurst, Æneis, I. (Arb.), 35. In that od Isle raigneth, from Troyblud spirted, Acestes.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., II. 2115. Lest I should spirt a blot So black, as that it would not be forgot In future Ages.
a. 1661. Fuller, Worthies, Linc., II. (1662), 158. I find one Pen spirting ink upon him.
1860. Thackeray, Round. Papers, iii. Ribbons. Our fountain of Honour … has spirted a baronetcy upon two, and bestowed a coronet upon one noble man of letters.
transf. 1857. Dickens, Dorrit, II. xxx. He spirted it [the hotel-bill] into Mr. Flintwinch’s face, when the old man advanced to take it.
b. Const. forth, out, up.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., 137. Toades are sometimes observed to exclude or spirt out a dark and liquid matter behinde.
1664. Power, Exp. Philos., I. 39. The Lamprey hath a fistula … at the back part of the head, whereat they spirt out water.
1716. Gay, Trivia, II. 144. Oft’ the loose Stone spirts up a muddy tide Beneath thy Foot.
1817. Kirby & Sp., Entomol., xxi. (1818), II. 239. Sometimes they will even spirt out that liquor. Ibid. (1826), III. xxx. 150. Perforated tubercles, which when the animal is molested spirt forth a transparent fluid.
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, xlv. When every chimney spirted up its flame.
3. To knock out with something spirted.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., III. v. 162. He that eats cherries with Noblemen shall have his eyes spirted out with the stones.
Hence Spirted ppl. a.; Spirting vbl. sb.
1834–6. P. Barlow, in Encycl. Metrop. (1845), VIII. 415. Some inconvenience is caused by the spirting.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, VII. 187. Red with spirted purple of the vats.
1860. O. W. Holmes, Prof. Breakf.-t., xii. We all like the spirting up of a fountain.
