online medical dictionary | definition of spew

1. To eject from the stomach; to vomit.

2. To eject seed, as wet land swollen with frost.

3. To cast forth with abhorrence or disgust; to eject. "Because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth." (Rev. Ii. 16)

Origin: OE. Spewen, speowen, AS. Spiwan;n to D. Spuwen to spit. OS & OHG. Spiwan, G. Speien, Icel. Spja to spew, Sw. Spy, Dan. Spye, Goth. Spiewan, th. Spjauti, L. Spuere to split, Gr, Skr. Shtiv, shthiv. Cf. Pyke, Spit

Alternative forms: spue.

(20 Mar 1998)