| sprat | <zoology> A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); called also alfione, and perch. <zoology> Sprat borer, the kittiwake gull. Origin: OE. Sprot, sprotte, D. Sprot; akin to G. Sprotte. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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