sprat

Meaning

Noun

1. Any of various small, herring-like, marine fish in the genus Sprattus, in the family Clupeidae.
2. Any of various similar fish of other genera.
3. Anything petty or insignificant.
4. (obsolete,slang) A sixpence.

Verb

To manure (land) with sprats (the fish).

Synonyms

brisling

Clupea sprattus

rake

scrub

sixpence

sardine

brit

Pronounced as (IPA)

/spɹæt/

Etymology

From Middle English sprotte, from Old English sprot. Older source is unknown. Cognate with German Sprotte, Dutch sprot. Compare sprout.