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.
Following the spate of coups, Ecowas tried to pressure the military leaders into promising firm dates for new elections.
From BBC
Augustine believes that any perception of a spate of heart problems among rugby players is more a product of modern media, than the modern game.
From BBC
Lilly the llama was bought as a guard by the farmer to help protect his sheep after a spate of dog attacks in the past five years.
From BBC
There has been a spate of reported shark attacks along Australia's east coast in the past week, three of them in Sydney.
From BBC
As the cultural phenomenon approaches its 30th birthday on 27 February - a spate of thefts has been reported recently across England, targeting gaming stores that sell the world-famous trading cards.
From BBC
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.
