Bespatter
to soil by spattering; splash with water, dirt, etc.
to slander or libel:
a reputation bespattered by malicious gossip.
Historical Examples
This is the nameless refuse which flings itself to bespatter Masonry.
Devil-Worship in France Arthur Edward Waite
The mosquitoes 412 trouble me so much that in driving them away I bespatter my paper with ink, as thou seest, God bless thee!
Audubon and his Journals, Volume I (of 2) Maria R. Audubon
For the future you may besnuff and bespatter your coat as much as you please, for all the trouble I shall ever take.
The King of Schnorrers Israel Zangwill
bespatter it, vituperate against it, strongly insist that any man or woman harbouring it is a fool or a knave, or both.
The Story of an African Farm (AKA Ralph Iron) Olive Schreiner
If the road is muddy be careful that you do not ride so as to bespatter her habit.
The Gentlemen’s Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness Cecil B. Hartley
To bespatter a rival for the gaining of an advantage by contrast is a Yahoo’s trick to which no decent gentleman would stoop.
The Dop Doctor Clotilde Inez Mary Graves
I know they are pleased to bespatter me at all their little dirty levees.
Goldsmith William Black
Thou dost fall and break thy limbs, and bespatter thyself with mud, like a crocodile, and no one reaches out a hand to thee.
Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Egypt James Baikie
He may bespatter you with ink, he may hit you in the eye, but he writes a magnificent hand.
Roderick Hudson Henry James
I said ‘What a fine fellow you are to bespatter the whole world with this oil of vitriol!’
Stories of Authors, British and American Edwin Watts Chubb
verb (transitive)
to splash all over, as with dirty water
to defile; slander; besmirch
v.
1640s, from be- + spatter (v.). Related: Bespattered; bespattering.
Read Also:
- Bespeak
to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader’s patience. to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: to bespeak a seat in a theater. Literary. to speak to; address. to show; indicate: This bespeaks a kindly heart. Obsolete. to foretell; forebode. Historical Examples Permit me most earnestly to bespeak this confidence, as we […]
- Bespeckle
to speckle. v. c.1600, from be- + speckle. Related: Bespeckled; bespeckling.
- Bespoke
a simple past tense and past participle of bespeak. British. (of clothes) made to individual order; custom-made: a bespoke jacket. making or selling such clothes: a bespoke tailor. Older Use. engaged to be married; spoken for. to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader’s patience. to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: […]
- Bespoken
a past participle of bespeak. bespoke. to ask for in advance: to bespeak the reader’s patience. to reserve beforehand; engage in advance; make arrangements for: to bespeak a seat in a theater. Literary. to speak to; address. to show; indicate: This bespeaks a kindly heart. Obsolete. to foretell; forebode. Contemporary Examples “When you’re a smaller […]
- Bespread
to spread over (a surface); cover (usually followed by with): a table bespread with fine linens. Historical Examples He got out the box of ointment and bespread the strips of torn handkerchief. The Magnetic North Elizabeth Robins (C. E. Raimond) The greater part of my way lay near the sea shore, which was bespread with […]