sprinkle

name

1. A surname.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English sprenkelen, sprynklen, from Middle Dutch sprenkelen, equivalent to sprink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with Dutch sprenkelen (“to sprinkle”), German Low German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle; dapple”), German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle”).

1. A light covering with a sprinkled substance.

   “He decorated the Christmas card with a sprinkle of glitter.”

   “My memory leaves me with a constant and deep burning, my eyes stinging and red from short sprinkles of tears which have been sneaking up on me for days now.”

2. A light rain shower.
3. An aspersorium or utensil for sprinkling.
4. A small hard piece of sugar and starch, or chocolate, used to decorate cakes etc.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English sprenkelen, sprynklen, from Middle Dutch sprenkelen, equivalent to sprink + -le (frequentative suffix). Cognate with Dutch sprenkelen (“to sprinkle”), German Low German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle; dapple”), German sprenkeln (“to sprinkle”).

1. To cause (a substance) to fall in fine drops (for a liquid substance) or small pieces (for a solid substance).

   “The confectioner sprinkled icing sugar over the cakes.”

   “And the priest shall[…]sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord.”

2. To cover (an object) by sprinkling a substance on to it.

   “The confectioner sprinkled the cakes with icing sugar.”

   “Most of the passengers watched from the enclosed promenade deck, but Sandra found her way to the higher, open promenade where she shivered and watched the city lights fade and the stars sprinkle themselves across a dark blue velvet sky.”

3. To drip in fine drops, sometimes sporadically.

   “It sprinkled outside all day long.”

4. To rain very lightly outside.

   “It sprinkled very early in the morning.”

5. To baptize by the application of a few drops, or a small quantity, of water; hence, to cleanse; to purify.

   “having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience”