sprat
Any of various similar fish of other genera.
Definitions
UK
#1·Apr 27, 2026UK
Any of various similar fish of other genera.
The price of a case (five shillings piece bad) from the smasher is about one shilling; an alderman (two and sixpence) about sixpence; a peg (shilling) about threepence; a downer or sprat (sixpence) about twopence.
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UK
#2·Apr 27, 2026UK
Any of various small, herring-like, marine fish in the genus , in the family .
The price of a case (five shillings piece bad) from the smasher is about one shilling; an alderman (two and sixpence) about sixpence; a peg (shilling) about threepence; a downer or sprat (sixpence) about twopence.
Origin: From , from . Older source is unknown. Cognate with , . Compare sprout. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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UK
#3·Apr 27, 2026UK
(by extension) Anything petty or insignificant.
The price of a case (five shillings piece bad) from the smasher is about one shilling; an alderman (two and sixpence) about sixpence; a peg (shilling) about threepence; a downer or sprat (sixpence) about twopence.
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