■ noun a cereal plant with a loose branched cluster of florets, cultivated in cool climates. [ Avena sativa and related species.]
Phrases
feel one's ~s N. Amer. informal feel lively and energetic.
get one's ~s Brit. informal have sex.
sow one's wild ~s go through a period of wild or promiscuous behaviour while young.
Derivatives
~en adjective ( archaic ).
~y adjective
Origin
OE āte , plural ātan , of unknown origin.