spurt

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the occurrence of a sudden discharge (as of liquid)
  2. verb gush forth in a sudden stream or jet
  3. verb move or act with a sudden increase in speed or energy

Etymology

From earlier spirt, sprit (“to sprout”), from Middle English sprytten, from Old English spryttan, from Proto-West Germanic *spruttjan, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)per- (“to strew, sow, sprinkle”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

jet, squirt, spirt

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