The word "sputters" is spelled with a double t and a double s. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈspʌtərz/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short u sound, followed by the consonant cluster "sp," which represents a voiceless alveolar stop followed by a voiceless bilabial fricative. The second syllable contains a schwa sound, a voiced alveolar fricative "t," and a voiceless alveolar fricative "s." The double t and s indicate the emphasis on the second syllable.
Sputters, as a verb, can have multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here are two common definitions:
1. To make a series of rapid and explosive popping or spitting sounds. When referring to machines or engines, sputters occur when there is an irregular or unsteady flow of gas or liquid. For instance, a car engine may sputter if there is a problem with the fuel-air mixture or ignition system, resulting in a choppy or uneven running of the engine.
2. To speak in a hesitant, fragmented, or unclear manner. This definition refers to the way someone talks, often characterized by pauses, stammering, or a failure to articulate words smoothly. It can be a sign of nervousness, lack of confidence, or a speech impediment. For example, if someone is extremely anxious or overwhelmed during a public speaking engagement, they might sputter their words, struggling to convey their thoughts effectively.
In both contexts, sputters typically imply a lack of smoothness or consistency. They suggest a disruption in the normal or desired flow, whether it is in the audible pops and spits of a machine or in the hesitant and fragmented speech of an individual.
The word "sputters" is derived from the verb "sputter". The etymology of "sputter" can be traced back to the Middle Dutch word "spoutersen" or "spetteren", which meant "to spout" or "to splatter". This Middle Dutch word has roots in the Proto-Germanic word "spretaną", which meant "to spread". The term went through various forms and influenced a variety of languages, including Middle Low German "spoutern", Middle High German "spötern", and Old Norse "spjóta", all of which had similar meanings related to the act of spouting or splattering liquids or particles. Eventually, "sputter" emerged in the English language, retaining this sense of scattered or erratic emission of particles or liquid.