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. (broadly) Anything petty or insignificant.
4. (UK, obsolete, slang) A sixpence.

Verb

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

Synonyms

brisling

Clupea sprattus

rake

scrub

sixpence

sardine

brit

Translations

sprat

Sprotte

sprot

spratto

papalina

espadin

sardina

espadín

espadilha

Sprattus

Sprattus sprattus

Clupea sprattus

Pronounced as (IPA)

/spɹæt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: sprotte

Inherited from Old English: sprot

Cognate with German: Sprotte

Cognate with Dutch: sprot

In summary

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