squirt

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squirt / skwərt/ • v. [tr.] cause (a liquid ) to be ejected from a small opening in something in a thin, fast stream or jet: she squirted soda into a glass. ∎  cause (a container of liquid) to eject its contents in this way: some youngsters squirted a water pistol in her face. ∎  [tr.] wet (someone or something) with a jet or stream of liquid in this way: she squirted me with the juice from her lemon wedge. ∎  [intr.] (of a liquid) be ejected from something in this way. ∎  [intr.] (of an object) move suddenly and unpredictably: he got his glove on the ball but it squirted away. ∎  transmit (information) in highly compressed or speeded-up form.• n. 1. a thin stream or small quantity of liquid ejected from something: a quick squirt of perfume. ∎  a small device from which a liquid may be ejected in a thin, fast stream. ∎  a compressed radio signal transmitted at high speed.2. inf. a person perceived to be insignificant, impudent, or presumptuous: what did he see in this patronizing little squirt?DERIVATIVES: squirt·er n.

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