sprat

[ sprat ]

/ spræt /

noun, plural sprats, (especially collectively) sprat for 1.

a species of herring, Clupea sprattus, of the eastern North Atlantic.

a small or inconsequential person or thing.

Nearby words

Origin of sprat

1590–1600; variant of earlier sprot, Middle English, Old English (cognate with German Sprott); apparently same word as Old English sprott sprout, twig (for the two meanings cf. sprag²); akin to Old English spryttan to sprout

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sprat

He spoke with peculiar asperity of Sprat, who had undoubtedly been the most humane and moderate member of the board.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
It cost him some vexation of spirit; but, for Meg's sake, he threw the sprat, and threw it boldly.
Into the Highways and Hedges|F. F. Montrsor (Frances Frederica)
Baxter—so soon as it is ready—will let you see a proof of my introduction, which is only sent out as a sprat to catch whales.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 25 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
Sprat was amazed to hear the bells of his own Abbey ringing merrily.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

The fate of this nobleman has, in one respect, resembled the fate of his colleague Sprat.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay

British Dictionary definitions for sprat

sprat

/ (spræt) /

noun

a small marine food fish, Clupea sprattus, of the NE Atlantic Ocean and North Sea: family Clupeidae (herrings)See also brisling

any of various small or young herrings

Word Origin for sprat

C16: variant of Old English sprott; related to Middle Low German sprott, Norwegian sprot small rod

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sprat

sprat

"small European herring," 1590s, variant of sprot, from Old English sprot "a small herring," related to Dutch sprot, and probably connected to sprout.