spate

• Nom désignant un grand nombre ou une série soudaine de choses, souvent utilisé dans l'expression « a spate of » ; il peut aussi évoquer un écoulement ou un débit d'eau soudain et violent, comme après de fortes pluies ou la fonte des neiges.

A noun referring to a large number or amount of something, often used in the phrase 'a spate of'; it can also describe a sudden forceful flow or a rush of water resulting from heavy rain or melting snow.

1. B2formal

   A large number or amount of something, often unpleasant or unexpected, occurring in a short period.

   rafale, avalanche, flot

   • There has been a spate of robberies in the neighborhood recently.
   • The company faced a spate of complaints after the product launch.
   • A spate of new laws was introduced to address the crisis.

   Synonymesavalanchebarrageburstdelugeepidemicfloodoutbreakoutpouringrashrunstreamsurgetorrentwave

2. Sudden forceful flowC1formal

   A sudden, strong, and often uncontrolled rush or outpouring of something, like water or emotions.

   Jaillissement soudain / Déferlement

   • A spate of water burst through the dam.
   • His speech was followed by a spate of angry questions.
   • The river became a dangerous spate after the storm.

   Synonymesdelugefloodgushoutpouringrushsurgetorrent

3. Water flow from rain or snowC1formal

   A sudden flood or rush of water caused by heavy rain or melting snow.

   Crue soudaine due à la pluie ou à la fonte des neiges

   • The spate from the melting snow flooded the valley.
   • After the heavy rain, a spate rushed down the mountain.
   • The village was cut off by a sudden spate.

   Synonymesdelugefloodfreshetoverflowrushsurgetorrent