bespatter, v.
(bɪˈspætə(r))
[f. be- 1 + spatter.]
1. trans. To spatter over; to cover with small spots of wet mud or anything of like consistency.
| 1674 Govt. of Tongue v. §9. 123 Those who will not take vice into their bosoms, shall yet have it bespatter their faces. 1844 Thirlwall Greece VIII. lxvi. 447 They..were even bespattered with mud. |
2. To spatter about; to scatter or cast (anything) so that it sticks in spots on surrounding objects.
| 1813 Examiner 1 Feb. 80/1 [He] had..literally bespattered his brains about the floor. |
3. fig. To asperse (with abuse, blame, flattery, praise, etc.). Generally in a bad sense even when praise is in question.
| 1644 Jessop Angel of Eph. 24 Bishop Halls titles of honour wherewith he doth bespatter them. 1759 Let. to Methodists, Bespattering with your dirty hints and innuendoes the whole body of its Clergy. 1819 Southey Lett. (1856) III. 150, I shall get plentifully bespattered with abuse. 1851 Ruskin Mod. Paint. I. Pref. 19 He..bespatters with praise the canvass which a crowd concealed from him. 1858 Robertson Lect. 244 Bespattered with applause. |
4. spec. To cover with abuse; to vilify or slander.
| 1653 A. Wilson Jas. I, Proeme 4 If Ignorance or Malice attempts to hack, hew, or bespatter it. 1709 Steele Tatler No. 115 ¶1 Punch who takes all opportunities of bespattering me. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xxxiii. 208, I will convince you that I am basely bespattered. |