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spar|tan /spɑː ^r t ^ə n/ ADJ A spartan lifestyle or existence is very simple or strict, with no luxuries. □  Their spartan lifestyle prohibits a fridge or a phone.

spasm /spæ zəm/ (spasms )

1 N‑VAR [oft into N ] A spasm is a sudden tightening of your muscles, which you cannot control. □  A muscular spasm in the coronary artery can cause a heart attack. □  A lack of magnesium causes muscles to go into spasm.

2 N‑COUNT A spasm is a sudden strong pain or unpleasant emotion which lasts for a short period of time. [WRITTEN ] □ [+ of ] A spasm of pain brought his thoughts back to the present.

spas|mod|ic /spæzmɒ d I k/ ADJ Something that is spasmodic happens suddenly, for short periods of time, and at irregular intervals. □  He managed to stifle the spasmodic sobs of panic rising in his throat.

spas|tic /spæ st I k/ (spastics ) ADJ Someone who is spastic is born with a disability which makes it difficult for them to control their muscles, especially in their arms and legs. People now refer to someone with this disability as having cerebral palsy . [OFFENSIVE ] ● N‑COUNT A spastic is someone who is spastic. [OFFENSIVE ]

spat /spæ t/ (spats )

1Spat is the past tense and past participle of spit .

2 N‑COUNT A spat between people, countries, or organizations is a disagreement between them. □  …a spat between America and Germany over interest rates and currencies.

spate /spe I t/ (spates ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A spate of things, especially unpleasant things, is a large number of them that happen or appear within a short period of time. □ [+ of ] …the recent spate of attacks on horses.

spa|tial /spe I ʃ ^ə l/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] Spatial is used to describe things relating to areas. □  …the spatial distribution of employment and population in the country. □  …spatial constraints.

2 ADJ [ADJ n] Your spatial ability is your ability to see and understand the relationships between shapes, spaces, and areas. □  His manual dexterity and fine spatial skills were wasted on routine tasks. □  …spatial awareness.

spat|ter /spæ tə ^r / (spatters , spattering , spattered ) VERB If a liquid spatters a surface or you spatter a liquid over a surface, drops of the liquid fall on an area of the surface. □ [V prep] He stared at the rain spattering on the glass. □ [V n prep] Gently turn the fish, being careful not to spatter any hot butter on yourself. □ [V n] Blood spattered the dark concrete.

-spattered /-spætə ^r d/ COMB -spattered is added to nouns to form adjectives which indicate that a liquid has spattered onto something. □  …the blood-spattered body.

spatu|la /spæ tʃʊlə/ (spatulas ) N‑COUNT A spatula is an object like a knife with a wide, flat blade. Spatulas are used in cooking. □  Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing over the top with a spatula.

spawn /spɔː n/ (spawns , spawning , spawned )

1 N‑UNCOUNT [usu n N ] Spawn is a soft, jelly-like substance containing the eggs of fish, or of animals such as frogs. □  …her passion for collecting frog spawn.

2 VERB When fish or animals such as frogs spawn , they lay their eggs. □ [V ] …fish species like salmon and trout which go upstream, spawn and then die.

3 VERB If something spawns something else, it causes it to happen or to be created. [LITERARY ] □ [V n] Tyndall's inspired work spawned a whole new branch of science.

spay /spe I / (spays , spaying , spayed ) VERB [usu passive] When a female animal is spayed , it has its ovaries removed so that it cannot become pregnant. □ [be V -ed] All bitches should be spayed unless being used for breeding.

speak ◆◆◆ /spiː k/ (speaks , speaking , spoke , spoken )