spats

spat ¹  (spt)

v.

A past tense and a past participle of spit¹.

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spat ²  (spt)

n. pl. spat or spats

1. An oyster or similar bivalve mollusk in the larval stage, especially when it settles to the bottom and begins to develop a shell.

2. The spawn of an oyster or a similar mollusk.

intr.v. spat·ted, spat·ting, spats

To spawn. Used of oysters and similar mollusks.

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[Middle English.]

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spat ³  (spt)

n.

A cloth or leather gaiter covering the shoe upper and the ankle and fastening under the shoe with a strap: The waiter wore spats as part of his uniform.

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[Short for spatterdash : spatter + dash.]

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spat ⁴  (spt)

n.

1. A brief quarrel.

2. Informal A slap or smack.

3. A spattering sound, as of raindrops.

v. spat·ted, spat·ting, spats

v.intr.

1. To engage in a brief quarrel.

2. To strike with a light spattering sound; slap.

v.tr. Informal

To slap.

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[Origin unknown.]

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spats

Noun, pl

cloth or leather coverings formerly worn by men over the ankle and instep [obsolete spatterdash a long gaiter]