- spray´a|ble
-
–n.1. a) liquid going through the air in small drops: »
We were wet with the sea spray.
b) small drops, as of medicine, insecticide, disinfectant, cosmetic, paint, or starch, blown on something by compressed air or gas: »Big advantage of the internal poison is that it protects the whole young plant, while sprays…may leave some parts unprotected (Time).
2. Figurative. something like this: »A spray of bullets hit the target.
–v.t.1. to throw in the form of spray; scatter in small drops: »Spray this paint on the cupboard.
2. to sprinkle with spray; wet with small drops or particles: »to spray paint, to spray a lawn with water. Spray the apple tree to kill the worms.
3. Figurative. a) to direct numerous small missiles upon: »to spray the enemy with bullets.
b) to distribute or scatter here and there; sprinkle: »Then he sprays questions (New Yorker). These pages are sprayed with identifying footnotes (Orville Prescott).
–v.i.1. to throw up or scatter spray.2. to issue or rise as spray.╂[apparently < Middle Dutch sprayen, spraeien to sprinkle]–spray´a|ble, adjective.–spray´er, noun.1. a small branch or piece of some plant with its leaves, flowers, or fruit, especially when used for decoration or ornament: »a spray of lilacs, a spray of berries.
2. any ornament, pattern, or design resembling this: »a spray of diamonds.
3. small or slender twigs of trees or shrubs collectively.╂[Middle English sprai, spray; compare Danish sprag]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
