split ring
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,split 'ring also key ring n a metal ring consisting of two rings joined together, used for holding keys in such a way that they can be slipped on and off
splits /splɪts/ n [the S] a movement in which a person's legs are spread wide apart and touch the floor along their whole length: Can you do the splits?
,split 'second n an extremely short period of time; moment: I don't know how he escaped – I only took my eyes off him for a split second! —'split-second adj: I had to make a split-second decision.
splits·ville /'splɪtsvɪl/ adj [F] AmE slang separated from something or someone: They've been splitsville since we found out about his affair with the waitress.
,split 'ticket n (in elections in the US) a vote in which the voter has voted for some CANDIDATES of one party and some CANDIDATES of the other party → compare STRAIGHT TICKET
split·ting /'splɪtɪŋ/ adj (of a headache) very severe
splodge /splɒdʒ||splɑːdʒ/ BrE ¦ splotch /splɒtʃ||splɑːtʃ/ especially AmE — n [(of)] infml an irregular coloured or dirty mark or spot; BLOTCH: There were some splodges of paint on the carpet. —splodgy adj
splosh /splɒʃ||splɑːʃ/ v [I] infml to make or move with a loud SPLASH: The little boy was sploshing about in his bath. —splosh n
splurge /splɜːdʒ||splɜːrd/ v [I;T(on)] infml to spend more (money) than one can usually afford: He splurged all his winnings on an expensive new camera. —splurge n: She went out on a splurge when she got her first wage packet.
sput·ter¹ /'splætər/ n a wet spitting (SPIT) noise: The fire went out with a few splutters as the rain began to fall.
sputter² v 1 [I;T] to talk or say quickly and as if confused: 'But ... but ...' she spluttered. | He was spluttering with rage. 2 [I] to make a wet spitting (SPIT) noise: The candle spluttered and went out.
Spock, Dr Ben·ja·min /spɒk||spɑːk, 'bendʒəmɪn/ (1903–1998) a US doctor who wrote books giving advice on how parents should take care of their children, including The Common Sense Book of Baby and Childcare (1946), which suggested that parents should allow their children more freedom than was fashionable at the time, and which had a great influence on parents in the US and UK. Some people later criticized him for encouraging parents to be too PERMISSIVE (=not strict enough) with their children. Dr Spock was also known for his opposition to the Vietnam War.
Spock, Mr a character from the US television programme STAR TREK. Mr Spock is a man from an imaginary PLANET called Vulcan, who has pointed ears and green blood, and is always completely LOGICAL, so that his ideas and decisions are based only on facts, not on emotions. He is also known for saying to his commander, Captain James Kirk, 'It's life, Jim, but not as we know it'.
Spode /spəʊd/ trademark a type of expensive fine CHINA such as plates and TEAPOTS made in the UK
spoil¹ /spɔɪl/ v spoiled or spoilt BrE /spɔɪlt/ 1 [T] to destroy the value, quality, or pleasure of; ruin: We've had a wonderful day out; let's not spoil it now by having a quarrel. | The cook had spoilt the soup by putting too much salt in it. | The big orange sign on the front has spoiled the character of the old building. 2 [I] to lose goodness; decay: The food will spoil if you don't keep it cool. 3 [T] to make (especially a child) selfish by too much generosity or giving too much attention or praise: His grandmother spoils him. | Her husband behaves just like a spoilt child. 4 [T] to treat very or too well; INDULGE: 'I shouldn't have another chocolate ...' 'Go on, spoil yourself!' | There are so many lovely things I could wear tonight, I'm spoilt for choice. (=it is very difficult to decide) 5 [T] tech to fill in (a voting paper) wrongly so that it can no longer be officially counted 6 [I] be spoiling for a fight to be very eager to fight or quarrel: It was obvious from his attitude that he was spoiling for a fight.
USAGE In Britain spoilt is the usual form of the past participle in meanings 3 and 4 especially when it is used as an adjective: a spoilt child | I feel spoilt by all the kindness you've shown me. In the US spoiled is used for these meanings.
spoil² also spoils pl. — n [U] fml or lit things taken, especially by an army from a defeated enemy or by thieves: The robbers divided up their spoils. | the spoils of victory/war
spoil·age /'spɔɪlɪdʒ/ n [U] fml or tech waste resulting from something being spoiled: We lost several tons of grain through spoilage.
spoil·er /'spɔɪlər/ n 1 a person or thing that spoils 2 a surface on an aircraft, car etc, intended to interrupt the smooth flow of air: A racing car needs a spoiler to stop it lifting off the road at high speeds. 3 AmE (in sports) a person or a team that spoils another's winning record: The Bears have won all seven of their games thus far, but the Vikings look to be the spoilers this time around.
spoil·sport /'spɔɪlspɔːt||-spɔːrt/ n infml derog a person who puts an end to other people's fun
'spoils ,system n AmE a system in which politicians give public jobs to people who supported them before they were elected. This system was common in the US until the late 1800s.
spoilt /spɔɪlt/ past tense & participle of SPOIL → see SPOIL (USAGE)
spoke¹ /spəʊk/ past tense of SPEAK
spoke² n 1 any of the bars which connect the outer ring of a wheel to the centre, e.g. on a bicycle: a bent spoke → see picture at BICYCLE 2 put a spoke in someone's wheel infml to prevent someone from going ahead with plans; THWART
-spoken → see WORD FORMATION TABLE
spok·en /'spəʊkən/ past participle of SPEAK
'spoken for adj [F] infml 1 (of a thing) being kept aside for someone: I'm afraid that particular model is already spoken for. 2 (of a person) closely connected with a person of the opposite sex: You'd better stop flirting with Jim – he's spoken for. → see also SPEAK FOR
spokes·per·son /'spəʊksˌpɜːsən||-ɜːr-/ also spokes·man /-mən/ masc., spokes·wom·an /-,wʊmən/ fem. — n pl. -people /-piːpl/ a person chosen to speak officially for a group: A government spokesperson said today that there would be an official inquiry. | a spokesman for the miners' union → see PERSON (USAGE)
spo·li·a·tion /ˌspəli'eɪən/ n [U] fml the action of violent or intentional spoiling or destruction: the spoliation of the environment
spon·dee /'spɒndiː||'spɑːndiː/ n tech a measure of poetry consisting of two strong (or long) beats —daic /spɒn'deɪ-ɪk||spɑːn-/ adj
sponge¹ /spʌndʒ/ n 1 [C] a type of simple sea creature that does not move but grows a spreading rubber-like frame full of small holes 2 [C;U] a piece of a sponge, or of a similar artificial substance made from rubber, which can suck up and hold water and is usually used for washing: to squeeze out a sponge 3 [C] a person who SPONGES on other people 4 [C;U] BrE a SPONGE CAKE → see also throw in the sponge (THROW IN)
sponge² v 1 [T(DOWN, OFF, OUT)] to clean by rubbing with a wet cloth or SPONGE: We sponged down the walls to get the worst of the dirt off. 2 [T(UP)] to remove (liquid) with a cloth, SPONGE etc: The nurse sponged (up) the blood from the wound. 3 [I;T(off, on, from)] derog to live or get (money, meals etc) free by taking advantage of other people's generosity or weakness: It's ridiculous to accuse people who need state benefits of sponging off the state.
'sponge bag n BrE a small usually plastic bag for carrying one's soap, toothbrush etc
'sponge cake n [C;U] (a) light cake made from eggs, sugar, and flour but usually no fat
,sponge 'finger BrE a small, finger-shaped cake that is used to make DESSERTS → see LADY FINGER
spon·ger /'spʌndʒər/ n derog a person who SPONGES on other people
spong·y /'spʌndʒi/ adj like a SPONGE; soft, full of air, and sometimes rather wet; not firm: a spongy texture | spongy bread/ground —iness n [U]
spon·sor¹ /'spɒnsər||'spɑːn-/ n 1 a person who takes responsibility for a person or thing: If I'm going to go and live in the US, I must get an American sponsor. | the sponsor of a new bill being debated in Parliament 2 a business which pays for a show, broadcast, sports event etc, usually in return