spat

¹

[spat]

noun

1. a petty quarrel.

   Synonyms: set-to, scrap, tiff

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.

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

/ spæt /

noun

1. rare,  a slap or smack

2. a slight quarrel

verb

1. rare,  to slap (someone)

2. (intr) to have a slight quarrel

spat

²

/ spæt /

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

spat

³

/ spæt /

verb

1. a past tense and past participle of spit 1

spat

⁴

/ spæt /

noun

1. another name for gaiter

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spat¹

C19: probably imitative of the sound of quarrelling

Origin of spat²

C17: from Anglo-Norman spat; perhaps related to _spit ¹

Origin of spat³

C19: short for _spatterdash

Example Sentences

Watson, who recently hit headlines after a public spat with Potter author JK Rowling, sparked rumours she was engaged by wearing a sparkling ring on her wedding finger.

From BBC

Badenoch is a Brexiteer, a strong advocate of free speech, and seemingly often up for a spat in the latest round of culture wars.

From BBC

State officials have talked publicly about the spat, but much of the debate is happening out of the public eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Last month, YouTube TV settled a spat with Rupert Murdoch’s Fox Corp., keeping its channels, including Fox News, on the platform.

From Los Angeles Times

PC Borg said the man had spat at officers and urinated on the door of the cell, so officers pinned him down on the floor.

From BBC

Related Words

• altercation 
• bickering 
• brouhaha 
• difference of opinion www.thesaurus.com
• disagreement 
• discord 
• falling-out 
• feud 
• flare-up 
• fracas 
• friction 
• misunderstanding 
• run-in 
• squabble 
• strife 
• tiff