spat

• Nom ayant plusieurs sens : il peut désigner une petite querelle, une guêtre ou jambière couvrant le cou-de-pied et la cheville, ou une jeune huître ou autre bivalve.

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to a petty quarrel, a cloth covering for the instep and ankle, or a young oyster or other bivalve.

1. Minor quarrelB2informal

   A petty argument or disagreement, often about trivial matters.

   Dispute mineure

   • They had a spat over who should wash the dishes.
   • The couple's spat was quickly resolved.
   • It was just a minor spat between friends.

   Synonymesaltercationargumentbickeringdisagreementmisunderstandingquarrelrowsquabbletiff

   Antonymesaccordagreementharmonyunderstanding

2. Clothing accessoryC1formalbritish

   A short gaiter covering the shoe instep and ankle, worn in the past as part of formal attire.

   Guêtre courte (ou guêtre de chaussure)

   • The gentleman wore white spats with his suit.
   • Spats were fashionable in the early 20th century.
   • He polished his spats before the wedding.

   Synonymesgaiter

3. Young shellfishC2formal

   A young oyster or other bivalve mollusk, especially one that has settled on a surface.

   Naissain

   • The oyster farm collected spat for cultivation.
   • Spats attach themselves to rocks or shells.
   • The hatchery raises spat for the local seafood industry.

• Verbe désignant l'action de rejeter de la salive ou une autre substance de la bouche, ou servant à exprimer la colère ou le mépris.

A verb used to indicate the act of ejecting saliva or other substance from the mouth, or to express anger or contempt.

verbe irrégulier

1. Eject salivaA2informal

   To force saliva or other liquid from the mouth.

   cracher

   • He spat on the ground in disgust.
   • The baby spat out the food she didn't like.
   • Don't spit in public places.

   Synonymesexpectorategobhawkspluttersputter

   Antonymesgulpswallow

2. Say angrilyB2informal

   To say something quickly and angrily.

   cracher (avec colère)

   • She spat out an insult at him.
   • He spat the words through clenched teeth.
   • 'Get out!' she spat, furious.

   Synonymesbarkhisshurlretortsnapsnarl

3. B1informalbritish

   To rain lightly or in small drops.

   pleuviner

   • It's starting to spit with rain.
   • The sky was spitting a few drops.
   • We walked home as it began to spit.

   Synonymesdrizzlemizzlesprinkle

Variantes phrasalspit outspit up