sprat

[ sprat ]

/ spræt /

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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.

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showing self-respect

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acting selfishly

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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

Words nearby sprat

Sprague, sprain, sprain fracture, spraint, sprang, sprat, Spratly Islands, sprattle, sprawl, sprawly, spray

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use sprat in a sentence

Thomas Sprat, an English prelate and poet, died; he was distinguished as a writer, and rewarded with preferments.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
The Judge inquired if that was the sole object of the plaintiff, or was it not rather baiting with a sprat to catch a herring?
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
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
Stow-boating is really sprat catching, and no one can exactly explain the meaning of the term.
A Chapter of Adventures|G. A. Henty

It is particularly abundant at Teignmouth, where it is known as the Sand Sprat, and forms an important article of diet.
The Sea Shore|William S. Furneaux

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