I. ˈsprat, usu -ad.+V noun
or spret ˈspret, usu -ed.+V
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of (assumed) Middle English sprot, from Old English sprott; probably akin to Old English sprūtan to sprout — more at sprout
dialect Britain : any of various rushes of the genus Juncus
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration of earlier sprot, from Middle English, from Old English sprott; probably akin to Old English sprūtan to sprout
1.
a. : a small European herring ( Clupea sprattus ) closely related to the common herring and the pilchard
b. : any of various other small or young herrings
2. : any of numerous small fishes (as anchovy or bleak) not clearly distinguished in popular usage from members of the herring family ( Clupeidae )
3. : a small or insignificant person
whip these young sprats — Jay Dugan
a surly … sprat of a man — T.B.Costain
III. intransitive verb
( spratted ; spratted ; spratting ; sprats )
: to fish for sprats