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Dictionary Language resources

spate

Pronunciation: /speɪt/

Translate spate | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish

Definition of spate

noun

1a large number of similar things coming in quick succession:a spate of attacks on holidaymakers

2chiefly British a sudden flood in a river.

Phrases

in (full) spate: (of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood.; used to refer to a person or action that is continuing with vigour and without pause:the headmaster was in full spate