Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

spartle

intransitive verb
spar·​tle | \ ˈspärtᵊl\
-ed/-ing/-s

Definition of spartle

Scottish
: to kick about : sprawl

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for spartle

Dutch spartelen, from Middle Dutch spartelen, spertelen, sportelen; akin to Middle Low German spartelen, sportelen, spertelen to sprawl, thrash about, Old High German sprazzalōn, Norwegian spratla to sprawl, thrash about, Old High German sprinzan to jump up

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about spartle

Dictionary Entries near spartle

sparth

Spartiate

spartina

spartle

spar torpedo

spar tree

Sparus

Statistics for spartle

Look-up Popularity

Comments on spartle

What made you want to look up spartle? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

boilerplate

Listen to the pronounciation of boilerplate

standardized text or formulaic language

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

  • a-piggy-bank
  • The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games