Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To scatter in drops or particles.
- intransitive verb To scatter drops or particles on.
- intransitive verb To intersperse with something as if by scattering.
- intransitive verb To distribute or intersperse at random.
- intransitive verb To scatter something in drops or particles.
- intransitive verb To fall or rain in small or infrequent drops.
- noun The act of sprinkling.
- noun A light rainfall.
- noun A small amount; a sprinkling.
- noun Small particles of candy sprinkled on ice cream as a topping.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To make intoxicated or tipsy.
- noun A utensil for sprinkling; a sprinkler; specifically, a brush for sprinkling holy water; an aspersorium.
- noun A sprinkling, or falling in drops; specifically, a light rain.
- noun That which is sprinkled about; hence, a scattering or slight amount; a sprinkling.
- noun A light tinkling sound; a tinkle.
- noun Milit., same as
morning-star - To scatter in drops or particles; let fall in minute quantities here and there; strew.
- To besprinkle; bespatter or bestrew; overspread with drops or particles, as of a powder, liquid, coloring matter, etc.
- To cleanse with drops, as of water; wash; purify.
- To distribute here and there; diffuse.
- To diversify by objects placed here and there over the surface; dot.
- To issue in fine drops or particles; be sprinkled.
- To send out sparks; scintillate; sparkle.
- To rain slightly: used impersonally: as, does it sprinkle?
- To scatter a liquid or any fine substance so that it may fall in small particles.
- To dart hither and thither.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- intransitive verb To scatter a liquid, or any fine substance, so that it may fall in particles.
- intransitive verb To rain moderately, or with scattered drops falling now and then.
- intransitive verb To fly or be scattered in small drops or particles.
- transitive verb To scatter in small drops or particles, as water, seed, etc.
- transitive verb To scatter on; to disperse something over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle.
- transitive verb To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.
- noun A small quantity scattered, or sparsely distributed; a sprinkling.
- noun obsolete A utensil for sprinkling; a sprinkler.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb transitive To cause (a substance) to fall in fine
drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance). - verb transitive To
cover (an object) by sprinkling a substance on to it. - verb intransitive To drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.
- noun A light covering with a sprinkled substance.
- noun A light rain shower.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a light shower that falls in some locations and not others nearby
- verb distribute loosely
- verb rain gently
- verb cause (a liquid) to spatter about, especially with force
- verb scatter with liquid; wet lightly
- noun the act of sprinkling or splashing water
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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I am not big on salt in general, but a sprinkle is a must.
Guacamole, my way | Homesick Texan Homesick Texan 2009
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Again sprinkle water on the roti and spread it around in a circular movement.
Chavlachi Roti Anjali 2006
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Again sprinkle water on the roti and spread it around in a circular movement.
Archive 2006-10-01 Anjali 2006
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When used to designate action, the word sprinkle means scatter in particles.
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3: 5, 6; Mark 1: 9; John 3: 2, 3, and use the word sprinkle or pour where the word baptize is used, and note the great absurdity.
The Gospel Day Or, the Light of Christianity Charles Ebert Orr 1897
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They call it a "sprinkle" - small gifts second time around.
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But the Nanny of the Month goes to the Empire State politician who wants to ban salt from New York restaurants and dole out $1,000 fines to any rogue chefs who dare to sneak a sprinkle of the white stuff on their meals.
Run Reason Magazine 2010
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The question before the Court in this case was whether Martin's trusts could in the future "sprinkle" money to the two post-conceived grandsons, after the decease of Martin's widow.
Trusts and Estates 2008
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Should I think of something else or is it OK to have "sprinkle" within my new name...
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A request for an authoritative lexicon that gives "sprinkle" or
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