Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To sprinkle.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word asperge.

Examples

  • I watched Marie-Françoise pinch off the tips of the "asperge sauvage", * motioning for me to do the same.

    French Word-A-Day: 2008

  • I watched Marie-Françoise pinch off the tips of the "asperge sauvage", * motioning for me to do the same.

    French Word-A-Day: 2008

  • I watched Marie-Françoise pinch off the tips of the "asperge sauvage", * motioning for me to do the same.

    vivace - French Word-A-Day 2008

  • I watched Marie-Françoise pinch off the tips of the "asperge sauvage",* motioning for me to do the same.

    French Word-A-Day: 2008

  • I watched Marie-Françoise pinch off the tips of the "asperge sauvage",* motioning for me to do the same.

    vivace - French Word-A-Day 2008

  • Finally, the Padre took the asperge from the hands of one of the acolytes, and with a sign of the cross in benediction while he chanted the _Asperges_, gently sprinkled the holy water on the upturned face.

    Black Spirits and White A Book of Ghost Stories Ralph Adams Cram 1902

  • Finally, the Padre took the asperge from the hands of one of the acolytes, and with a sign of the cross in benediction while he chanted the _Asperges_, gently sprinkled the holy water on the upturned face.

    Masterpieces of Mystery, Vol. 1 (of 4) Ghost Stories Joseph Lewis French 1897

  • And that he who, entering into a church, doth not asperge himself with holy water, sinneth not, (461) if so be he do it _circa contemptum_.

    The Works of Mr. George Gillespie (Vol. 1 of 2) George Gillespie 1630

  • _chapon roti au cresson_; _asperge au branches_; _glace au chocolat_; _caf‚_; or: _potage au Cr‚cy_; _turbot aux cƒpres_;

    Manners and Social Usages Mrs. John M. E. W. Sherwood

  • Albertine consented, however, to sacrifice her lettuces, on the condition that I would promise to buy for her in a few days’ time from the woman who cried: “J’ai de la belle asperge d’Argenteuil, j’ai de la belle asperge.”

    The Captive 2003

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • Verb, to asperge, to sprinkle with holy water (using an aspergillum, of course!).

    Evidently form the first word of the Latin text of Psalms 50(51):9 (literally ‘thou shalt purge’ ), recited before Mass during the sprinkling of holy water. Or so says the OAED.

    June 7, 2009

  • Pretty word.

    June 7, 2009

  • To asperse?...with an asperges or an aspergillium? I know nothing about it...just a googling smartass.

    Even if it is a word, I think it's a little too close to asperger to be truly pretty.

    June 7, 2009

  • In the old Latin Mass of the Catholic church, Asperges me ("Sprinkle me") was the opening of an antiphon sung or recited while the celebrant sprinkled the congregation with holy water.

    June 7, 2009

  • I need to be asperged. (Note to self: Don't post late at night)

    June 8, 2009

  • It has overtones of purge. And spurge (see euphorbia).

    June 8, 2009