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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Spawn


SPAWN, noun It has no plural. [If this word is not contracted, it belongs to the root of Latin pano. If contracted, it probably belongs to the root of spew or spaw. The radical sense is that which is ejected or thrown out.]

1. The eggs of fish or frogs, when ejected.

2. Any product or offspring; an expression of contempt.

3. Offsets; shoots; suckers of plants. [Not in use in American.]

SPAWN, verb transitive

1. To produce or deposit, as fishes do their eggs.

2. To bring forth; to generate; in contempt.

SPAWN, verb intransitive

1. To deposit eggs, as fish or frogs.

2. To issue, as offspring; in contempt.