spat
/spæt/
noun
- A short, petty argument or quarrel.
- The neighbors had a spat about the fence line, but they resolved it quickly.
- Their little spat was soon forgotten when they started laughing.
- The couple had a spat over whose turn it was to do the dishes.
- A young oyster or similar shellfish, especially when it settles and begins to grow.
- The hatchery produced millions of oyster spat this season.
- Oyster farmers collect spat on special tiles placed in the water.
- The spat attached themselves to the ropes hanging in the bay.
- A short gaiter covering the shoe and lower ankle, worn in the past as part of formal or military dress.
- Spats were fashionable for gentlemen in the early 1900s.
- He wore spats to protect his shoes from mud during the parade.
- The old photograph showed him in a suit with white spats over his shoes.
Synonyms
verb
- Past tense and past participle of spit (to eject saliva or something from the mouth).
- She spat the bitter medicine into the sink.
- He spat out the watermelon seeds onto the ground.
- The baby spat up her milk all over the bib.