1.To destroy; to kill; to put an end to. (Obs.) "And gave him to the queen, all at her will To choose whether she would him save or spill." "Greater glory think (it) to save than spill."
2.To mar; to injure; to deface; hence, to destroy by misuse; to waste. (Obs.) "They (the colors) disfigure the stuff and spill the whole workmanship." "Spill not the morning, the quintessence of day, in recreations."
3.To suffer to fall or run out of a vessel; to lose, or suffer to be scattered; applied to fluids and to substances whose particles are small and loose; as, to spill water from a pail; to spill quicksilver from a vessel; to spill powder from a paper; to spill sand or flour. Note: Spill differs from pour in expressing accidental loss, a loss or waste contrary to purpose.
4.To cause to flow out and be lost or wasted; to shed, or suffer to be shed, as in battle or in manslaughter; as, a man spills another's blood, or his own blood. "And to revenge his blood so justly spilt."
5.(Naut.) To relieve a sail from the pressure of the wind, so that it can be more easily reefed or furled, or to lessen the strain.
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