spat

[spæt]

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spit

A spat is a short and usually small argument between two people.

When you have a spat with someone, it's not usually serious or long-lasting. You might get annoyed at each other for a little while, but then things calm down. People often use the word "spat" when they want to downplay an argument or make it sound like something silly. For example, if two friends had a disagreement over who left the dishes in the sink, they might say they had a spat about it.

How common is "spat"?

Word spat is considered rare in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To evacuate (saliva or another substance) from the mouth, etc.
To emit or expel in a manner similar to evacuating saliva from the mouth; specifically, to rain or snow slightly.
Example: a hot pan spitting droplets of fat
To utter (something) violently.
(hip-hop) To rap, to utter.
To make a spitting sound, like an angry cat.

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expectorate

Real examples of "spat" in context

Antony Starr on Working with His Celebrity Crush and the Weirdest Scene He's Filmed for The Boys

Interview

and just literally spat an audition out, sent it away,

2:34

The ENTIRE HISTORY of Bill Cipher from Gravity Falls!

Entertainment

Ford was now traveling through other dimensions after his spat with his brother Stanley,

7:32

Gordon Ramsay Savagely Critiques Spicy Wings | Hot Ones