What is "sprue"

Sprue \Sprue\ (spr[udd]), n. [Etymol. uncertain.]

1. (Founding)

   1. Strictly, the hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold.

   2. The waste piece of metal cast in this hole; hence, dross.

2. (Med.) Same as Sprew.

"piece of metal (later plastic) attached to a cast object," 1875, earlier (1849) "channel through which metal is poured into a mold;" of unknown origin.

Etymology 1 n. (context medicine English) A tropical disease causing a sore throat and tongue, and disturbed digestion; psilosis. Etymology 2

n. 1 (context founding English) The hole through which melted metal is poured into the gate, and thence into the mold. 2 (context founding English) Material that cools in the feed channels to a mold.

n. a chronic disorder that occurs in tropical and nontropical forms and in both children and adults; nutrients are not absorbed; symptoms include foul-smelling diarrhea and emaciation [syn: tropical sprue]

A sprue may refer to:

• Sprue (manufacturing), a feature in molding and casting molds
• Coeliac disease, also known as sprue, a disease of the small intestine
• Tropical sprue, disease
• Sprue Asparagus, first pickings of asparagus

A sprue is the passage through which liquid material is introduced into a mold. In many cases it controls the flow of metal into the mold. During casting or molding, the material in the sprue will solidify and need to be removed from the finished part. This excess material is also called a sprue.