spate
[ speyt ]
/ speɪt /
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noun
a sudden, almost overwhelming, outpouring: a spate of angry words.
British.
- a flood or inundation.
- a river flooding its banks.
- a sudden or heavy rainstorm.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of spate
1400–50; late Middle English (north) < ?
Words nearby spate
spastic ileus, spasticity, spastic paralysis, spat, spatchcock, spate, spathaceous, spathe, spathic, spathiphyllum, spathose
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for spate
British Dictionary definitions for spate
spate
/ (speɪt) /
noun
a fast flow, rush, or outpouringa spate of words
mainly British a sudden floodthe rivers were in spate
mainly British a sudden heavy downpour
Word Origin for spate
C15 (Northern and Scottish): of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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