subs. (old).—1. A small fee, reward, or gift of money (B. E.).
1726. J. AYLIFFE, Parergon Juris Canonici Anglicani, 173. The Bishops who consecrated this Ground, were wont to have a SPILL or Sportule for the fame from the credulous Laity.
2. (colloquial).—A fall; a tumble. As verb. = to throw; to fall; to overturn (GROSE and BEE). Also (3) = to betray (BEE).
1881. J. BURROUGHS, Pepacton, 179. Its body slumps off, and rolls and SPILLS down the hill, as if it were a mass of bowels only.
1886. The Field, 2 Jan. A quick drive along the frosty road, ending in a harmless SPILL.
TO SPILL STOCK, verb. phr. (American).—See quot.
1870. J. K. MEDBERY, Men and Mysteries of Wall Street, 138. SPILLING STOCK. When great quantities of a stock are thrown upon the market, sometimes from necessity, but often in order to ‘break’ the price.
