Definition

Noun: 1. The act of applying a liquid in the form of small particles or droplets: This refers to the process of using a device (a sprayer) to disperse a liquid as a fine mist or jet. 2. A quantity of small objects flying or moving swiftly through the air: This describes a scattered shower or volley of many small items. 3. (Agriculture) The dispersion of substances like pesticides, insecticides, or fertilizer on crops: This is a specific application, often done from ground equipment or a low-flying aircraft.

Usage Examples

• As the application of a liquid:
  • The spraying of the paint must be done in a well-ventilated area.
  • She finished the spraying of perfume and left the room.
• As a quantity of flying objects:
  • The explosion sent a spraying of glass fragments across the street.
  • He faced a spraying of gravel kicked up by the passing truck.
• In an agricultural context:
  • The spraying of the vineyards happens every spring to prevent disease.
  • Aerial spraying is an efficient way to cover large fields.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in the line of spraying": to be positioned where the spray is directed.
  • Stand back unless you want to be in the line of spraying.
• Indiscriminate spraying: spraying over a wide area without precise targeting.
  • The indiscriminate spraying of chemicals can harm beneficial insects.

Variants and Related Words

• Spray (noun/verb): The liquid to be dispersed or the act of dispersing it. (e.g., , ).
• Sprayer (noun): The device or person that performs spraying.
• Overspray (noun): The mist or particles that drift away from the intended target during spraying.

Synonyms

• Dispersing: scattering or spreading over an area.
• Showering: falling or being thrown in a dispersed manner.
• Dusting: applying a fine powder, similar in method to liquid spraying.
• Misting: applying as a very fine spray.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Compounds

• Spray down: to clean or wet thoroughly by spraying.
  • The firefighters sprayed down the building to prevent the fire from spreading.
• Spray-on (adjective): applied by spraying.
  • He applied a spray-on tan before the competition.

Noun

1. the application of a liquid in the form of small particles ejected from a sprayer
2. a quantity of small objects flying through the air
   • a spray of bullets
3. the dispersion of fungicides or insecticides or fertilizer on growing crops (often from a low-flying aircraft)