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turnspit. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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turnspit in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
From turn + spit.
Noun
turnspit (plural turnspits)
- A person employed in turning a spit for the purpose of roasting meat.
- Synonym of roasting jack
- (archaic, derogatory, by extension) A person engaged in some menial occupation.
- (archaic) Ellipsis of turnspit dog.
- c. 1723, William Meston, The Knight
- Sometimes, like turnspit cur, he reels,
Sweating in his mysterious wheels;
And by his motion, tho' he fancies
That higher up he still advances,
Yet, press'd down with his nat'ral weight,
After much toiling, still the Knight
Is found to be in the same place
Where first he did begin his race;
And has done less, for all his boasting,
Than turnspit dog the goose when roasting.