spat Hear it!

spat1 definition

spat (spat)

noun

  1. Rare a slap
  2. a quick, slapping sound
  3. Informal a brief, petty quarrel or dispute

Etymology: prob. echoic

intransitive verb spatted spat′·ted, spatting spat′·ting

  1. Rare to slap
  2. to strike with a quick, slapping sound
  3. ☆ Informal to engage in a spat, or quarrel

transitive verb

Rare to slap
spat2 definition

spat (spat)

noun

a gaiterlike covering for the instep and ankle, usually of heavy cloth

Etymology: contr. < spatterdash

spat3 definition

spat (spat)

transitive verb, intransitive verb

spit
spat4 definition

spat (spat)

noun

a young oyster or young oysters collectively

Etymology: Anglo-Fr < ?

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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