3 entries under this word
n. [D. spil, Prov. Ger. spille, M. H. Ger. spille, spinle, O. H. Ger. spilla, A-S. spinl, spindel. See SPINDLE, and cf. supra.]
v. t. [imp. & p. p. SPILLED, or SPILT; p. pr. & vb. n. SPILLING.] [A-S. spillian, L. Ger. & D. spillen, Icel. & Sw. spilla, Dan. spilde, O. H. Ger. spildan.]
Sense 1. To suffer to fall or run out of a vessel; to lose or suffer to be scattered;—applied to fluids and to substances whose particles are small and loose; as, to spill water from a pail; to spill quicksilver or powders from a vessel or a paper; to spill sand or flour.
☞ Spill differs from pour in expressing accidental loss—a loss or waste not designed, or contrary to purpose.
Sense 2. To cause to flow out or lose; to shed, or suffer to be shed, as in battle or in manslaughter; as, a man spills another’s blood, or his own blood. “And to revenge his blood so justly spilt.” Dryden.
Sense 3. To mischief; to destroy; as, to spill the mind or soul; to spill glory; to spill forms. [Obs.]
Then my hope will spill me. B. Jonson.
Sense 4. (Naut.) To dislodge the wind from, as the cavity or belly of a sail, in order to reef or furl it.
Sense 1. To waste; to be prodigal. [Obs.] 2. To be shed; to run over; to fall out, be lost, or wasted.
He was so topful of himself, that he let it spill on all the company. Watts.