Etymology

spitfire

S1P3I1T1F4I1R1E1

Today it means: A cannon. Full definition →

First used 1801
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The story

Deverbal from spit fire.

First known use, by meaning

  • 1801 A person with a fiery temper, someone easily provoked to anger, especially a woman or girl.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.