Spat has 19 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Verb
Noun
1
a quarrel about petty points
2
a cloth covering (a legging) that covers the instep and ankles
3
a young oyster or other bivalve
4
The spawn of shellfish, especially oysters and similar molluscs.
5
A covering or decorative covering worn over a shoe.
6
A brief argument, falling out, quarrel.
7
A light blow with something flat.
8
An obsolete unit of distance in astronomy (symbol S), equal to one billion kilometres.
Verb
1
come down like raindrops
"Bullets were spatting down on us"
2
become permanently attached
"mollusks or oysters spat"
3
strike with a sound like that of falling rain
"Bullets were spatting the leaves"
4
clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
5
engage in a brief and petty quarrel
7
clap one's hands together
"The children were clapping to the music"
8
simple past tense and past participle of spit
9
To spawn. Used of shellfish as above.
10
To quarrel or argue briefly.
11
To strike with a spattering sound.
Example Sentences
"Bullets were spatting down on us"
verb
"mollusks or oysters spat"
verb
"Bullets were spatting the leaves"
verb
"oysters spat"
verb
"The children were clapping to the music"
verb
Related Terms
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
Origin
The word comes from Old English spittan or spætan. It originally meant to spit.