spat 1
/spat/ , n. , v. , spatted, spatting .
n.
1. a petty quarrel.
2. a light blow; slap; smack.
v.i.
3. to engage in a petty quarrel or dispute.
4. to splash or spatter; rain spatting against the window.
v.t.
5. to strike lightly; slap.
[ 1795-1805, Amer.; perh. imit. ]
Syn. 1. tiff, scrap, set-to.
spat 2
/spat/ , v.
a pt. and pp. of spit 1 .
spat 3
/spat/ , n.
a short gaiter worn over the instep and usually fastened under the foot with a strap, worn esp. in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
[ 1795-1805; short for SPATTERDASH ]
spat 4
/spat/ , n.
1. the spawn of an oyster or similar shellfish.
2. young oysters collectively.
3. a young oyster.
4. See seed oyster .
[ 1350-1400; ME; orig. uncert. ]