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driv·el

(drĭvəl)

v. driv·eled, driv·el·ing, driv·els or driv·elled or driv·el·ling

v.intr.

1. To slobber; drool.

2. To flow like spittle or saliva.

3. To talk stupidly or childishly.

v.tr.

1. To allow to flow from the mouth.

2. To say (something) stupidly.

1. Saliva flowing from the mouth.

2. Stupid or senseless talk.

[Middle English drevelen, from Old English dreflian.]

drivel·er n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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