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.
  • 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.
  • 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

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.
  • noun A small quantity scattered, or sparsely distributed; a sprinkling.
  • noun obsolete A utensil for sprinkling; a sprinkler.
  • 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.

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

[Middle English sprenklen, perhaps of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin.]

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Examples

  • I am not big on salt in general, but a sprinkle is a must.

    Guacamole, my way | Homesick Texan Homesick Texan 2009

  • Again sprinkle water on the roti and spread it around in a circular movement.

    Chavlachi Roti Anjali 2006

  • Again sprinkle water on the roti and spread it around in a circular movement.

    Archive 2006-10-01 Anjali 2006

  • When used to designate action, the word sprinkle means scatter in particles.

    Autobiography of John G. Fee: Berea, Kentucky 1891

  • 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

  • They call it a "sprinkle" - small gifts second time around.

    An engagement party gift 'request' 2011

  • 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

  • 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

  • Should I think of something else or is it OK to have "sprinkle" within my new name...

    Sprinkles goes to court 2008

  • A request for an authoritative lexicon that gives "sprinkle" or

    To Infidelity and Back

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