Dictionary entry

Sprinkle

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Sprin″kle (sprĭṉ″k'l), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Sprinkled (–k'ld); p. pr. & vb. n.Sprinkling (–klĭng).] [OE. sprenkelen, freq. of sprengen to sprinkle, to scatter, AS. sprengan, properly, to make to spring, causative of springan to spring; akin to D. sprenkelen to sprinkle, G. sprengen. See Spring, v. i., and cf. Sprent.] 1. To scatter in small drops or particles, as water, seed, etc.

2. To scatter on; to disperse something over in small drops or particles; to besprinkle; as, to sprinkle the earth with water; to sprinkle a floor with sand.

3. 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. Heb. x. 22.