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 spat·ted, 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 < ?

spat* Synonyms

spat*

n.

tiff, dispute, scrap, quarrel; see dispute. See syn. study at quarrel.

spat Synonyms

spat

v.

punch, thump, slap; see hit 1.

spat Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • wear: Thin Teachers Fat Teachers Mad about their cat Teachers And wearing white spats Teachers.
  • have: He also had a famous spat with Ken Russell, who hit him in full view of the television cameras.
  • get: And, yes, female SEK comrades got spat on and hit.
  • publicize: Hammam had relinquished control after his much publicized spat with the Norwegians and had sold the remainder of his shares.
  • end: Thus ended the spat between Jonas Hanway and Dr. Samuel Johnson, but the arguments about tea raged for years.
  • feel: Christine feels this spat, highly embarrassing for Tom, is putting her operation in danger.

Modifies a noun

  • settlement: No spat settlement was yet apparent on Salmon Scar, St Ishmaels following previous systematic thinning in February and March.

Adjective modifier

  • recent: During the recent spat over school funding, new localists have derided the center.
  • white: Thin Teachers Fat Teachers Mad about their cat Teachers And wearing white spats Teachers.
  • little: I am sure that once they have sorted out their little spat over the " baby issue " they will continue their debates.
  • public: Who wants to get into a public spat with Oxfam?
  • current: The reason has to do with the Irish carrier's current spat with Cardiff Wales airport.
  • late: What are we to make of this latest spat between Murdoch and another leading figure within the English-speaking Establishment?

Preposition: over

  • cash: The current spat over cash for peerages sadly confirms everyone's most cynical feelings about politics and politicians.

Noun used with modifier

  • wheel: A mid-term revision brought further styling tweaks, including the loss of the running boards and the addition of rear wheel spats.