spat
gb/spˈæt/ us/spˈæt/
A2
English
~ 2000
összezördülés, kisebb vita, köp, kiköp, osztrigaivadék, kagylóivadék, kamásli
NOUN
B1
1
kisebb vita
B1
Usage pattern:
to have a spat with [someone]
They had a little spat over where to go for dinner.
Volt egy kis összezördülésük azon, hogy hova menjenek vacsorázni.
The two friends got into a spat about politics.
A két barát összezördült a politika miatt.
It was just a minor spat, and they made up quickly.
Their spat in the meeting surprised everyone.
A lover's spat isn't unusual in long relationships.
Learner examples
I had a spat with my brother.
Összezördültem a testvéremmel.
They had a small spat about the TV show.
Volt egy kis vitájuk a tévéműsor miatt.
We had a short spat but then we were fine.
My friends had a spat yesterday.
She had a spat with her classmate.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spat' with 'spit' due to similar spelling, but 'spat' here means an argument, not ejecting saliva.
Meaning
A brief, petty quarrel
Collocations
have a spat
|lover's spat
|petty spat
|family spat
Synonyms
quarrel (More general term for an argument; can be longer or more serious.)
|
tiff (Informal term for a light or petty argument.)
Antonyms
agreement (Represents harmony or consensus, the opposite of a disagreement.)
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|daily life
|communication
Definition
A small and quick argument between people.
A short and usually unimportant argument or disagreement, often between people who know each other well.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] spat [something]
He spat on the sidewalk.
A járdára köpött.
She spat the medicine into the sink.
Kiköpte a gyógyszert a mosdókagylóba.
The man spat in disgust when he heard the news.
They spat blood after the fight.
I accidentally spat while laughing.
Learner examples
He spat on the ground.
A földre köpött.
She spat the food out.
Kiköpte az ételt.
I spat when I coughed.
The boy spat in the street.
She spat after tasting it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'spat' as only a noun. In fact, it is also the past form of 'spit'.
Meaning
Ejected saliva from the mouth
Collocations
spat blood
|spat on the ground
|spat in disgust
Synonyms
expectorated (More formal/medical term for spitting.)
Antonyms
swallowed (Opposite physical action of keeping saliva inside the mouth.)
Themes
bodily actions
|body
|health
Definition
'Spat' is the past tense of 'spit', meaning you pushed saliva out of your mouth.
Past tense and past participle of 'spit', meaning to force saliva out of the mouth.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
kagylóivadék
C2
The farm collects oyster spat in the summer.
A gazdaság nyáron osztrigaivadékot gyűjt be.
Spat are raised in tanks before being moved to open waters.
Az osztrigaivadékokat tartályokban nevelik, mielőtt nyílt vízbe telepítik őket.
The health of the spat determines future harvests.
Marine biologists study the survival rate of spat.
Spat settlement is crucial for oyster farming.
Learner examples
The farm grows oyster spat.
A gazdaság osztrigaivadékot nevel.
Spat are baby oysters.
Az osztrigaivadék fiatal osztriga.
We saw spat in the water.
The fishermen collect spat.
Spat grow into big oysters.
Meaning
A juvenile oyster or shellfish
Collocations
oyster spat
|collect spat
|spat settlement
Synonyms
juvenile oyster (Direct descriptive synonym for the early stage of an oyster.)
Themes
biology
|fishing
|animals
|nature
|food_drink
Definition
A very young oyster or shellfish that has just attached to something in the water.
A larval or juvenile stage of an oyster or similar bivalve mollusk that has attached to a surface.
NOUN
C1
ARCHAIC
4
kamásli
C2
The gentleman wore white spats with his suit.
Az úr fehér kamáslit viselt az öltönyéhez.
Spats were fashionable in the early 20th century.
A kamásli divatos volt a 20. század elején.
He polished his shoes and adjusted his spats.
The costume included a hat and spats.
Spats are rarely seen outside period dramas.
Learner examples
The man wore white spats.
A férfi fehér kamáslit viselt.
Spats were used long ago.
A kamáslit régen használták.
He put on his spats before going out.
Spats covered his shoes.
Spats are not common today.
Meaning
Cloth covering worn over shoes
Collocations
white spats
|wear spats
Synonyms
gaiter (Similar protective clothing, but gaiters usually extend higher up the leg.)
Themes
clothing
|history
Definition
A small cover worn over shoes to protect them or for fashion, used in the past.
A short garment worn over the instep and ankle, usually fastened under the shoe, historically used for protection or style.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spat
IPA
GB/spˈæt/
US/spˈæt/
Syllables & stress
spat (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (spat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spat
- Plural: spat, spats
Word family
Forms
spats
noun
Expressions
have a spat with someone
1/hˈæv ə spˈæt wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Engage in a petty quarrel with someone
To have a short and small argument with another person.
Examples
- I had a spat with my coworker this morning.
- She often has spats with her sister over small things.
lover's spat
1/lˈʌvɚz spˈæt/
fixed phrase
A small quarrel between lovers
A short, unimportant argument between people in a romantic relationship.
Examples
- They had a lover's spat but made up quickly.
- A lover's spat is nothing to worry about if you communicate.