spelder

verb

spel·​der

ˈspeldər

-ed/-ing/-s

transitive verb

chiefly Scottish : split

intransitive verb

chiefly Scottish : stretch, sprawl

Word History

Etymology

obsolete English speld to split open, spread open (from Middle English spelden, probably alteration—influenced by spelde splinter—of spalden to split, spread open, from Middle Low German, from Old High German spaltan to split) + English -er (as in batter)

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!