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View synonyms for

spat

1

[ spat ]

noun

  1. a petty quarrel.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. a light blow; slap; smack.

verb (used without object)

spatted, spatting.
  1. to engage in a petty quarrel or dispute.
  2. to splash or spatter; rain spatting against the window.

verb (used with object)

spatted, spatting.
  1. to strike lightly; slap.

spat

2

[ spat ]

verb

  1. a simple past tense and past participle of spit 1.

spat

3

[ spat ]

noun

  1. a short gaiter worn over the instep and usually fastened under the foot with a strap, worn especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

spat

4

[ spat ]

noun

Zoology.
  1. the spawn of an oyster or similar shellfish.
  2. young oysters collectively, especially seed oysters.
  3. a young oyster.

spat

1

/ æ /

noun

  1. rare.
    a slap or smack
  2. a slight quarrel
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. rare.
    to slap (someone)
  2. intr to have a slight quarrel
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spat

2

/ æ /

verb

  1. a past tense and past participle of spit 1
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spat

3

/ æ /

noun

  1. another name for gaiter
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

spat

4

/ æ /

noun

  1. a larval oyster or similar bivalve mollusc, esp when it settles to the sea bottom and starts to develop a shell
  2. such oysters or other molluscs collectively
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spat1

An Americanism dating back to 1795–1805; perhaps imitative

Origin of spat2

First recorded in 1795–1805; short for spatterdash

Origin of spat3

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; origin uncertain
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spat1

C19: probably imitative of the sound of quarrelling

Origin of spat2

C19: short for spatterdash

Origin of spat3

C17: from Anglo-Norman spat; perhaps related to spit 1
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Pham then motioned for the heckler to come onto the field, where presumably he would address the spat once and for all, man to man.

From

That move appeared to be in response to a public spat between the state's governor and Trump during a meeting of US governors on 21 February.

From

In recent years it is a question that has caused political punch-ups, party splits and despatch box spats.

From

A UK government minister has insisted she gets on well with Eluned Morgan despite a public spat over plans to cut disability and sickness benefits.

From

The Trump White House downplayed the conflict as a minor spat.

From

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