spate

spate

noun \ˈspāt\

Definition of SPATE

1

: freshet, flood

2

a : a large number or amount <a spate of books on gardening>

b : a sudden or strong outburst : rush <a spate of anger>

Examples of SPATE

1. A spate of books on the subject have come out recently.
2. There was a spate of corporate mergers in the 1980s.

Origin of SPATE

Middle English

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to SPATE

Synonyms

alluvion, bath, cataclysm, cataract, deluge, flood tide, inundation, Niagara, overflow, flood, torrent

Antonyms

drought (also drouth)

Related Words

current, river, stream, tide; cloudburst, discharge, flush, gush, outflow, outpouring; flux, inflow, influx; engulfment, washout; avalanche, blizzard; cascade, waterfall; excess, glut, overabundance, overage, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplus

Near Antonyms

dribble, drip, trickle

Rhymes with SPATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, grate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, state, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight