How Do You Spell SPILE?
Pronunciation: [spˈa͡ɪl] (IPA) 
Correct spelling for the English word "spile" is [spˈa͡ɪl], [spˈaɪl], [s_p_ˈaɪ_l] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Pronunciation: [spˈa͡ɪl] (IPA)
Correct spelling for the English word "spile" is [spˈa͡ɪl], [spˈaɪl], [s_p_ˈaɪ_l] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
spile (noun):
1. A small cylindrical plug or valve inserted into a container, such as a cask, barrel, or keg, to control the flow of liquid. It is typically made of wood or metal and is used to maintain the integrity and freshness of the contents inside the container.
2. A slender, pointed wooden or metal spike used to tap or pierce a tree trunk for the purpose of drawing out sap, specifically in maple syrup production. The spile facilitates the transfer of sap from the tree to a collection container, such as a bucket or tubing.
3. A wooden or metal peg used to secure a tarpaulin or covering, particularly on a ship or boat. Spiles are inserted into the grommets or eyelets along the edges of the covering, ensuring it remains taut and firmly in place.
4. In colloquial usage, the term "spile" can also refer to an improvised device or mechanism used to direct, regulate, or control the flow of a substance, such as a pipe or tube used to siphon off liquid from a container or a homemade tap used for camping purposes.
5. (verb) To tap or pierce a container, tree, or other object with a spile in order to control or direct the flow of liquid or sap. The act of spiling can be done for various purposes, such as to extract or collect a substance, prevent leakage, or manage the release of pressure.
The word "spile" has a complex etymology and its origins can be traced back to various sources.
One possible origin for the word "spile" is from Middle Low German "spile" meaning a small wooden peg or splinter. This sense of the word dates back to the 14th century and was used to refer to a wooden peg used for various purposes, such as a plug for a barrel or a shoemaker's tool.
Another potential source is the Old Norse word "spíla" which means to "spurt, gush" or "spill". This Nordic origin may be related to the use of spiles as taps for barrels, where liquid is released and can gush or spill out.
Furthermore, "spile" could also be derived from the Middle Dutch word "spinle" or "speenle" meaning a small wooden tube.
