I. ˈspat
past and past participle of spit
II. noun
( plural spat or spats )
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1667
: a young bivalve (as an oyster)
III. noun
Etymology: short for spatterdash legging
Date: circa 1802
: a cloth or leather gaiter covering the instep and ankle
IV. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1729
1. chiefly dialect : slap
2. : a brief petty quarrel or angry outburst
a lovers' spat
3. : a sound like that of rain falling in large drops
V. verb
( spat·ted ; spat·ting )
Date: circa 1832
transitive verb
chiefly dialect : slap
intransitive verb
1. : to quarrel pettily or briefly
2. : to strike with a sound like that of rain falling in large drops