spurt

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to gush out suddenly and forcefully in a stream or jet

   Blood began to spurt from the cut until pressure was applied.

2. 2
   noun

   a sudden forceful stream or jet of liquid

   A spurt of muddy water shot from the broken pipe.

3. 3
   noun

   a short burst of increased activity, speed, effort, or growth

   The team made a final spurt toward the finish line.

4. 4
   verb

   to move, grow, or act with a sudden brief increase in speed or energy

   Sales spurted after the favorable review appeared.

An altered form of earlier spirt, related to Middle English spritten and Old English spryttan, "to sprout." These forms belong to a Germanic word family for springing or bursting forth. The short-burst sense extends the image of liquid suddenly shooting from an opening.

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