spate
Americannoun
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a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring.
a spate of angry words.
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British.
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a flood or inundation.
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a river flooding its banks.
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a sudden or heavy rainstorm.
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noun
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a fast flow, rush, or outpouring
a spate of words
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a sudden flood
the rivers were in spate
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a sudden heavy downpour
Etymology
Origin of spate
1400–50; late Middle English (north) < ?
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
By then, she had confronted a spate of other crises — federal immigration raids, a $1-billion budget shortfall, a split with county officials over the region’s approach to homelessness.
From Los Angeles Times
Others expressed fear and despair, including Jewish people who said they had been feeling vulnerable after a spate of antisemitism-related offences.
From BBC
There have been a spate of antisemitism-related offences in Australia recently.
From BBC
In addition, the administration has prepared a spate of sectoral and other tariffs, providing leverage to keep the preliminary deals in place and limit retaliation.
From Barron's
In addition, the administration has prepared a spate of sectoral and other tariffs, providing leverage to keep the preliminary deals in place and limit retaliation.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
