释义 |
spat I. Etymology: Middle English spatte (past of speten to spit), from Old English spǣte, past of spǣtan to spit; akin to Old English (northern dialect) spittan to spit past of spit II. \ˈspat, usu -ad.+V\ noun (plural spat or spats) Etymology: origin unknown 1. : a young oyster or other bivalve mollusk either before or after it first becomes adherent 2. : young oysters < spat is abundant this year > III. intransitive verb (spatted ; spatted ; spatting ; spats) 1. : to emit spawn < oysters spat > 2. : to become permanently attached to some solid object — used of a mollusk and especially of an oyster IV. noun (-s) Etymology: short for spatterdash 1. : a covering for the instep and ankle usually made of cloth or leather with a side closing and a strap under the instep and worn for protection or appearance — usually used in plural < dressed in spats, cutaway, and silk hat > 2. : a fairing around the wheel of a fixed airplane landing gear V. noun (-s) Etymology: probably of imitative origin 1. : a usually petty quarrel that flares up quickly and is of short duration 2. chiefly dialect : a quick sharp blow : slap 3. a. : something that spatters : a light splash < a spat of rain > < spats of mud > b. : a sound like that of rain falling in large drops < the spat of bullets against a stone wall > Synonyms: see quarrel VI. verb (spatted ; spatted ; spatting ; spats) Etymology: probably of imitative origin transitive verb 1. chiefly dialect a. : slap b. : to clap together (as the hands) 2. : to strike with a sound like that of rain falling in large drops < bullets … spatting the leaves — J.H.Stuart > intransitive verb 1. : to quarrel usually pettily or briefly and repeatedly < a teenager spatting with her mother > 2. : to strike or fall and strike with a sound like that of rain falling in large drops < bullets were spatting down — R.H.Newman > |