spate

[ speyt ]
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noun
  1. a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring: a spate of angry words.

  2. British.

    • a flood or inundation.

    • a river flooding its banks.

    • a sudden or heavy rainstorm.

Origin of spate

1
1400–50; late Middle English (north) < ?

Words Nearby spate

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How to use spate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for spate

spate

/ (speɪt) /


noun
  1. a fast flow, rush, or outpouring: a spate of words

  2. mainly British a sudden flood: the rivers were in spate

  1. mainly British a sudden heavy downpour

Origin of spate

1
C15 (Northern and Scottish): of unknown origin

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