̈ɪspu:n n. & v. --n. 1 a a
utensil consisting of an
oval or
round bowl
and a
handle for conveying
food (esp. liquid) to
the mouth, for
stirring, etc. b a spoonful,
esp. of
sugar. c (in pl.) Mus. a
pair of spoons
held in the
hand and
beaten together rhythmically. 2 a spoon-shaped
thing, esp.: a (in full spoon-bait) a
bright revolving
piece of
metal used as a lure in
fishing. b an
oar with a
broad curved
blade. c a wooden-headed
golf club. 3 colloq. a a
silly or demonstratively
fond lover. b a
simpleton. --v. 1 tr. (often foll. by
up, out)
take (liquid etc.) with a spoon. 2 tr.
hit (a ball) feebly upwards. 3 colloq. a intr.
behave in an
amorous way, esp. foolishly. b tr.
archaic woo in a silly or
sentimental way. 4 intr. fish with a spoon-bait. øborn with a
silver spoon in one's mouth
born in
affluence. spoon-bread US
soft maize bread. øøspooner n. spoonful n. (pl. -fuls). [OE spon
chip of
wood f. Gmc]