Question

cuspidor noun "Cuspidor" entered English in the early 18th century via the Portuguese word "cuspidouro," meaning "place for spitting." The Portuguese word, unsurprisingly, has its origins in Latin: the word "conspuere" comes from the prefix "com-" and "spuere," meaning "to spit." ("Spuere" is also the source of "spew" and "sputum.") Since the early 19th century, "cuspidor" has been competing with (and losing to) "spittoon," but "cuspidor" beats "spittoon" in one particular category: the receptacle for spit at a dentist's office is more often referred to by the older word. : a receptacle for spit : spittoon

Accepted Answer

February 28, 2011 KUSS-puh-dor Hannah loves to repurpose old, interesting-looking objects, most recently using an antique brass cuspidor as a planter.  "When a passenger pulled the bell cord, porters were to answer swiftly and cheerfully. Just do what the passengers asked -- or demanded. Shine their shoes, fetch them drinks, make their beds, empty their cuspidors. No questions, no complaints, no protests. No rights." -- From an article published by the States News Service, February 15, 2010

Word	cuspidor
Date	February 28, 2011
Type	noun
Syllables	KUSS-puh-dor
Etymology	"Cuspidor" entered English in the early 18th century via the Portuguese word "cuspidouro," meaning "place for spitting." The Portuguese word, unsurprisingly, has its origins in Latin: the word "conspuere" comes from the prefix "com-" and "spuere," meaning "to spit." ("Spuere" is also the source of "spew" and "sputum.") Since the early 19th century, "cuspidor" has been competing with (and losing to) "spittoon," but "cuspidor" beats "spittoon" in one particular category: the receptacle for spit at a dentist's office is more often referred to by the older word.
Examples	Hannah loves to repurpose old, interesting-looking objects, most recently using an antique brass cuspidor as a planter. "When a passenger pulled the bell cord, porters were to answer swiftly and cheerfully. Just do what the passengers asked -- or demanded. Shine their shoes, fetch them drinks, make their beds, empty their cuspidors. No questions, no complaints, no protests. No rights." -- From an article published by the States News Service, February 15, 2010
Definition	: a receptacle for spit : spittoon

Cuspidor February Early Portuguese Word Meaning Receptacle Spit