Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SPASM, n. [L. spasmus; Gr. σπασμα, from σπαω, to draw.]

An abnormal, sudden, and more or less violent but brief contraction of one or more muscles, or muscular fibers. Spasm is either clonic or tonic. In clonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract and relax alternately in very quick succession, producing the appearance of agitation, as in epilepsy. In tonic spasm, the muscles or muscular fibers contract in a steady and uniform manner, and remain contracted for a comparatively long time, as in tetanus. Some cases of spasm appear to be intermediate between these two varieties.

SPAS-MOD'IC, a. [Gr. σπασμος, spasm, and ειδος, likeness; implying something which is like spasm, without being such; Fr. spasmodique; It. spasmodico.]

Relating to spasm; consisting in spasm; as, a spasmodic affection.

SPAS-MOD'IC, n.

A medicine good for removing spasm; but I believe the word generally employed is anti-spasmodic.

SPAS'TIC, a. [Gr. σπαστικος.]

Relating to spasm. [A term preferable to spasmodic.]

SPAS-TIC'I-TY, n.

1. A state of spasm.
2. The tendency to, or capability of suffering spasm.

SPAT, n. [from the root of spit; that which is ejected.]

1. The young of shell fish. – Woodward.
2. A petty combat; a little quarrel or dissension. [A vulgar use of the word in New England.]

SPAT, v. [pret. of Spit, but nearly obsolete.]

SPA-TAN'GUS, n.

A genus of pedicellate echinodermstous animals.

SPA'THA, or SPATHE, n. [L. spatha, a slice.]

In botany, the calyx of a spadix opening or bursting longitudinally, a form of a sheath. – Martyn.

SPA-THA'CEOUS, a.

Having that sort of calyx called a spatha.

SPATH'IC, a. [G. spath.]

Foliated or lamellar. Spathic iron is a mineral of a foliated structure, and a yellowish or brownish color. – Silliman.

SPATH'I-FORM, a. [spath and form.]

Resembling spar in form. The ocherous, spathiform, and mineralized forms of uranite. – Lavoisier.

SPATH'OUS, a.

Having that sort of calyx called spatha.

SPATH'U-LATE, a. [See SPATULATE.]

SPA'TIATE, v.i. [L. spatior.]

To rove; to ramble. [Not in use.] – Bacon.

SPAT'TER, v.i.

To throw out of the mouth in a scattered manner; to sputter. [Sec Sputter.] – Milton.

SPAT'TER, v.t. [This root is a derivative of the family of spit, or L. pateo. See Sputter.]

1. To scatter a liquid substance on; to sprinkle with water or any fluid, or with any moist and dirty matter; as, to spatter a coat; to spatter the floor; to spatter the boots with mud. [This word, I believe, is applied always to fluid or moist substances. We say, to spatter with water, mud, blood, or gravy; but never to spatter with dust or meal.]
2. Figuratively, to asperse; to defame. [In this sense, asperse is generally used.]
3. To throw out any thing offensive; as, to spatter foul speeches. [Not is use.] – Shak.
4. To scatter about; as, to spatter water here and there.

SPAT'TER-DASH-ES, n. [plur. spatter and dash.]

Coverings for the legs, to keep them clean from water and mud. [Since boots are generally worn, these things and their name are little used.]

SPAT'TER-ED, pp.

1. Sprinkled or fouled by souse liquid or dirty substance.
2. Aspersed.

SPAT'TER-ING, ppr.

1. Sprinkling with moist or foul matter.
2. Aspersing.

SPAT'TLE, n.

Spittle. [Not in use.] – Bale.

SPAT'TLING-POP-PY, n.

A plant, Silene inflata.

SPAT'U-LA, or SPAT'TLE, n. [L. spathula, spatha, a slice; W. yspodol; from the root of L. pateo; so named from its breadth, or from its use in spreading things.]

A slice; an apothecary's instrument for spreading plasters, &c. – Quincy.

SPAT'U-LATE, a. [from L. spathula.]

In botany, a spatulate leaf is one shaped like a spatula or battledore, being roundish, with a long, narrow, linear base; as, in Cistus incanus. – Martyn.

SPAV'IN, n. [It. spavenio, spavano, spavin, a cramp; Fr. eparvin; Sp. esparavan; Port. esparavam.]

A tumor or excrescence that forms on the inside of a horse's bough, not far from the elbow; at first like gristle, but afterward hard and bony. – Far. Dict.