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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

sputter out en · VERB

Meanings

  1. (intransitive, of an engine, qualifier:motor, usually) To emit a series of irregular, erratic popping or spitting sounds before shutting off.
  2. (informal, intransitive) To die.
    • You'd better give me something so I don't die / Novocaine for the soul / Before I sputter out. 1996, Mark Goldenberg, Mark Oliver Everett, “Novocaine for the Soul”, in Beautiful Freak, performed by Eels:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
sputters out Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
sputtered out Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
sputtered out Tense=Past lexicographic
sputtering out Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Synonyms

stall out