v. t.
He had with him all the tackle necessary for spooning pike. Mrs. Humphry Ward. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]
v. i.
v. i. To act with demonstrative or foolish fondness, as one in love. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ OE. spon, AS. spōn, a chip; akin to D. spaan, G. span, Dan. spaan, Sw. spån, Icel. spánn, spónn, a chip, a spoon. √170. Cf. Span-new. ]
“Therefore behoveth him a full long spoon
That shall eat with a fiend, ” thus heard I say. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]
He must have a long spoon that must eat with the devil. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Spoon bait (Fishing),
Spoon bit,
Spoon net,
Spoon oar.
v. i. (Naut.) See Spoom. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
We might have spooned before the wind as well as they. Pepys. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. (Zool.)
☞ The roseate spoonbill of America (Ajaja ajaja), and the European spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) are the best known. The royal spoonbill (Platalea regia) of Australia is white, with the skin in front of the eyes naked and black. The male in the breeding season has a fine crest. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. (Zool.) Having the bill expanded and spatulate at the end. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. [ Spoom + drift. ] Spray blown from the tops of waves during a gale at sea; also, snow driven in the wind at sea; --
a. Weak-minded; demonstratively fond;
n.;
There is no doubt, whatever, that I was a lackadaisical young spooney. Dickens. [ 1913 Webster ]