English Lexicon

Spittoon

/spɪˈtuːn/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A receptacle for spitting into, typically used for tobacco juice.

    "He placed the spittoon beside his chair while enjoying his cigar."
  2. 2

    A container used for collecting saliva or other fluids, often found in public places.

    "The old bar had a spittoon at every table for the patrons."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'spittoon' originates from the early 19th century, derived from the verb 'spit' combined with the suffix '-oon', which denotes a container. It reflects the practice of spitting tobacco juice into a receptacle, highlighting cultural habits of the time.

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