1. trans. To spatter over; to cover with small spots of wet mud or anything of like consistency.
1674. Govt. of Tongue, v. § 9. 123. Those who will not take vice into their bosoms, shall yet have it bespatter their faces.
1844. Thirlwall, Greece, VIII. lxvi. 447. They … were even bespattered with mud as they passed through the streets.
2. To spatter about; to scatter or cast (anything) so that it sticks in spots on surrounding objects.
1813. Examiner, 1 Feb., 80/1. [He] had … literally bespattered his brains about the floor.
3. fig. To asperse (with abuse, blame, flattery, praise, etc.). Generally in a bad sense even when praise is in question.
1644. Jessop, Angel of Eph., 24. Bishop Halls titles of honour wherewith he doth bespatter them.
1759. Lett. to Methodists. Bespattering with your dirty hints and innuendoes the whole body of its Clergy.
1819. Southey, Lett. (1856), III. 150. I shall get plentifully bespattered with abuse.
1851. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., I. Pref. 19. He … bespatters with praise the canvass which a crowd concealed from him.
1858. Robertson, Lect., 244. Bespattered with applause.
4. spec. To cover with abuse; to vilify or slander.
1653. A. Wilson, Jas. I., Proeme 4. If Ignorance or Malice attempts to hack, hew, or bespatter it.
1709. Steele, Tatler, No. 115, ¶ 1. Punch who takes all opportunities of bespattering me.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), II. xxxiii. 208. I will convince you that I am basely bespattered.
