Category:Sprat

Sprat, n. Etym: [oe. sprot, sprotte, d. sprot; akin to g. sprotte.] (zoöl.) (a) 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. (b) a california surf-fish (rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also Alfione, and perch. Sprat borer (zoöl.), the red-throated diver; -- So called from its fondness for sprats. See diver. -- sprat loon. (zoöl.) (a) the young of the great northern diver. [prov. Eng.] (b) the red-throated diver. See diver. -- sprat mew (zoöl.), the kittiwake gull.