1347
spring onion
throw or force out (liquid) in very small drops on (a surface, person, field of crops etc): We spray the crops to prevent disease. 1 [+obj+on, over] He sprayed paint on/over the wall. | [+obj+with] He sprayed the wall with paint. | (fig.) The gangsters sprayed the car with machinegun bullets.
spray² n 1 [U] water in very small drops blown from the sea, a waterfall, a wet road surface etc: We parked the car by the sea and it got covered with spray. 2 [C;U] (a can or other container holding) liquid to be sprayed out under pressure: a quick-drying spray paint | Did you bring along some insect spray? (=to kill insects) | a can of hair spray (=to keep hair in place)
spray³ n (an arrangement of flowers, jewels etc, in the shape of) a small branch with its leaves and flowers
spray·er /'spreɪə/ n a person or apparatus that sprays out a liquid: Use a paint sprayer for such a big wall. | A crop sprayer flew low over the field.
spray gun n an apparatus held like a gun for pumping out liquid in very small drops
spread¹ /spred/ v spread 1 [I;T(OUT)] to (cause to) open, reach, or stretch out, so as to cover or include a greater area; (cause to) be longer, broader, wider etc: In the last five years the city has spread out rapidly in all directions. | A frown spread across his face. | The bird spread its wings ready for flight. | Spread the map out on the floor. | The line of police spread out to search the fields. 2 [I+adv/prep; not in progressive forms] to cover a large area or period of time: The city now spreads as far as the coast. | a university course that spreads over a wide range of subjects 3 [I;T] to (cause to) have effect or influence over a wider area: The fire soon spread to the adjoining buildings. | Infectious diseases are very easily spread. | The threat of a shutdown spread alarm and despondency among the workforce. 4 [I;T(AROUND)] to make or become (more) widely known: The news of the gold discovery spread like wildfire. (=spread extremely rapidly) | Who's been spreading malicious rumours about me? 5 a) [T] to put (a covering) on (a surface): [+obj+on] Spread butter on the bread. | [+obj+with] Spread the bread with butter. b) [I+adv] to be able to be used for covering a surface: Butter doesn't spread well when it's cold. 6 [T(over, among)] to scatter, share, or divide over an area, period of time etc; DISTRIBUTE: We plan to spread the cost over three years. | They invested in several different companies in order to spread the risks. 7 [T] old-fash to prepare (a table or meal) before eating: The table was spread for tea. 8 spread one's wings to begin to take part in new activities or start a new life —>able adj
Note the patterns in these sentences: She spreads her toast with butter. | She spreads butter on/over her toast. Several other verbs (sprinkle, strew etc) can have the same patterns. Any verb in this dictionary which is followed by the note 'see SPREAD (USAGE)' has these patterns.
spread² n 1 [(the) S (of)] the act or action of spreading: The rapid spread of the disease is alarming the medical authorities. | efforts to halt the spread of nuclear weapons 2 [C usually sing.] a range or area over which something spreads: This tree has a spread of 100 feet. | The various dealers' prices show a wide spread. (=there is a large difference between the highest and lowest) -> compare SPAN 3 [C] a newspaper or magazine article or advertisement usually covering one or more pages and with pictures: The paper is running a double-page spread featuring photos of the wedding. 4 [U] a soft food for spreading on bread: a tube of cheese spread 5 [C] infml a large or grand meal: magnificent spread 6 [C] especially AmE a large farm or especially RANCH: He has a 1000-acre spread in Texas. -> see also BEDSPREAD, MIDDLE-AGED SPREAD
spread-'eagle /ɪl'.../ v [T usually pass.] to put (someone, especially oneself) into a position with arms and legs spread out: He lay spread-eagled on the bed.
spread·sheet /'spredʃi:t/ n a type of computer PROGRAM that allows figures (e.g. about sales, taxes, and profits) to be shown in groups on a SCREEN so that quick calculations can be made
spree /spri:/ n a period of wild irresponsible fun, spending, drinking etc: When I got my prize money we all went out on a spree. | a shopping/spending spree
sprig /sprɪg/ n [(of)] a small end of a stem or branch with leaves: He decorated the chicken with sprigs of parsley. | a sprig of mistletoe/holly
spright·ly /'spraɪtli/ adj cheerful and active; LIVELY: a sprightly dance/old man —liness n [U]
spring¹ /sprɪŋ/ v sprang /spræŋ/ also sprung /sprʌŋ/ AmE, sprung 1 [I+adv/prep] to move quickly and suddenly upwards or forwards as if by jumping: He sprang to his feet/sprang to the door/sprang over the wall. | The soldiers sprang to attention. | (fig.) She sprang to the president's defence when his policies were criticized. 2 [I+adv/prep] to appear or come into being or action quickly or from nothing: A wind suddenly sprang up. | Towns had sprung up in what had been a dry desert. | I turned the key and the engine sprang into life. | Tears sprang to her eyes. | (infml) Where did you spring from? I thought you were in America. 3 [L+adj;T] to open or close quickly (as if) by the force of a spring: The box sprang open when I touched the button. | to spring a trap 4 [T(on)] to make happen or make known suddenly and unexpectedly: We sprang a surprise party on them. | He sprang the news of his marriage on his parents. 5 [T] infml to arrange for (someone) to escape from prison 6 spring a leak (of a ship, container etc) to begin to let liquid through a crack, hole etc
spring from sthg. phr v [T] to be a product or result of; have as its origin: His fear of dogs springs from a bad experience as a child.
spring² n 1 [C;U] the season between winter and summer; the part of the year when leaves and flowers appear: I go on holiday in (the) spring. | a wet spring | last spring | spring flowers 2 [C] also springs pl. — a place where water comes up naturally from the ground: a bubbling spring | hot springs -> compare SOURCE 3 [C] an object, usually a length of metal wound round, which can be forced together or pressed down, and will return to its original shape when let go: the springs of a mattress | a watch spring | What an uncomfortable chair! It needs new springs. 4 [U] the quality of this object: There's not much spring in this old bed. 5 [S;U] an active healthy quality: There was a letter from him at last, and she walked to work with a spring in her step. 6 [C] an act of springing: The cat made a sudden spring at the mouse.
,Spring Bank 'Holiday n [C;U] a public holiday in the UK, on the last Monday in May
spring·board /'sprɪŋbɔːd-bɔːrd/ n 1 a strong bendable board for jumping off to give height to a DIVE or jump -> compare DIVINGBOARD 2 [(to, for)] a starting point where power is built up for future action: They are hoping that their successes in the local elections will be a springboard to victory in next year's national election.
spring·bok /'sprɪŋbɒk-bɑːk/ n pl. -boks or -bok 1 a fast-running graceful South African GAZELLE (=small deer) 2 a SPORTSMAN or SPORTSWOMAN playing for South Africa, especially at RUGBY or cricket, in an international match or tour abroad
,spring 'break n AmE a usually two-week long springtime holiday from college or university. Some students travel to sunny places such as Florida for their spring break and enjoy themselves by having a lot of alcohol.
,spring 'chicken n 1 especially AmE a young chicken suitable for cooking 2 [usually in negatives] infml a young person: She's no spring chicken. (=she's old)
,spring-'clean¹ v [I;T] especially BrE to clean (a place) thoroughly, as people often clean houses in the spring
'spring-clean² BrE || 'spring-,cleaning AmE — n [S] a thorough cleaning, especially of a house
Spring·er, Jerry /'sprɪŋər/ (1944–) a US TALK SHOW host who is known for the CONTROVERSIAL discussions and frequent fights on his programmes. He was the mayor of the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the 1980s.
,spring 'fever n [U] AmE a feeling of wanting to do something new, different, and exciting: He's got spring fever and is finding it hard to study.
,spring-'loaded adj containing a metal SPRING that presses one part against another
,spring 'onion BrE || scallion, green onion AmE — n an onion with a small white round part (BULB) and long green stem, usually eaten raw