spitball

• Nom ayant deux sens distincts : une petite boule de papier mâchée ou mouillée que l'on projette en crachant, ou un lancer illégal au baseball où l'on applique une substance étrangère sur la balle pour en modifier la trajectoire.

A noun with two distinct meanings: a small, chewed paper projectile, or an illegal baseball pitch where a foreign substance is applied to the ball.

1. Paper projectileB1informal

   A small, moistened ball of paper, often chewed and shaped, used as a playful projectile.

   Boule de papier mâché

   • The bored student flicked a spitball across the classroom.
   • He aimed a spitball at the back of his friend's head.
   • The teacher found a pile of spitballs on the floor.

2. Illegal baseball pitchC1formalsport

   A baseball pitch that has been illegally altered by applying a foreign substance, such as saliva or Vaseline, to affect its trajectory.

   balle mouillée

   • The pitcher was ejected from the game for throwing a spitball.
   • Using a spitball is a serious violation of baseball rules.
   • The umpire inspected the ball for signs of a spitball.

   Synonymesspitter