Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Spat?

\Spat\, n. [Short for {Spatterdash}.] 1. A legging; a gaiter. [Scot. & Dial. Eng.] 2. A kind of short cloth or leather gaiter worn over the upper part of the shoe and fastened beneath the instep; -- chiefly in pl.
\Spat\, imp. of {Spit}. [Obs. or R.]
\Spat\, n. [From the root of spit; hence, literally, that which is ejected.] A young oyster or other bivalve mollusk, both before and after it first becomes adherent, or such young, collectively.
\Spat\, v. i. & t. To emit spawn; to emit, as spawn.
\Spat\, n. [Cf. {Pat}.] 1. A light blow with something flat. [U.S. & Prov. Eng.] 2. Hence, a petty combat, esp. a verbal one; a little quarrel, dispute, or dissension. [U. S.]
\Spat\, v. i. To dispute. [R.] --Smart.
\Spat\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Spatted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Spatting}.] To slap, as with the open hand; to clap together; as the hands. [Local, U.S.] Little Isabel leaped up and down, spatting her hands. --Judd.