Spate definition

spāt
A great number or quantity.

A spate of forest fires.

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The definition of a spate is an unexpected rush or outpowering.

An example of a spate is an overflowing of angry words.

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An unusually large outpouring, as of words.
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Spate is a British term for a heavy rainstorm that results in flash floods.

An example of a spate is five feet of water in downtown London.

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A sudden flood, rush, or outpouring.
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A flash flood.
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A freshet resulting from a downpour of rain or melting of snow.
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A sudden heavy fall of rain.
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A flash flood.
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A sudden, heavy rain.
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A river flood; an overflow or inundation.
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A sudden rush or increase.
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Origin of spate

  • Middle English of unknown origin

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Of Celtic origin; compare Irish speid.

    From Wiktionary

Spate Sentence Examples

  • With a breathtaking view of the ocean shimmering in the background, a spate of soft, hot sand underfoot and the sun shining down on friends and family, the magic of the moment is somehow amplified in this lovely setting.

  • In later years, the Tundra would once again achieve an average reliability rating, but the spate of recalls may continue to affect consumer confidence for some time.

  • Regardless of the reason, Toyota issued a spate of recalls in late 2009 and 2010.

  • What distinguishes the current spate of job losses from previous cutbacks in the UK is the relative affluence of many of the people affected.

  • Cleveland Police launched a clampdown on air guns after a spate of shootings.

More sentences

Related articles

Words near spate in the Dictionary