spate /speɪt/noun 3verb 2forms 3 noun3 •A (sudden) flood or inundation of water; specifically, a flood in or overflow of a river or other watercourse due to heavy rain or melting snow; (uncountable, archaic) flooding, inundation.The last tall son of Lot and Bellicent, / And tallest, Gareth, in a showerful spring / Stared at the spate. A slender-shafted Pine / Lost footing, fell, and so was whirled away. — 1874 •(figurative) A sudden increase or rush of something; a flood, an outburst, an outpouring.Thy rural loves are nature's sel; / Nae bombast spates o' nonsense swell; / Nae snap conceits, but that sweet spell / O' witchin love, […] — 1869 •A sudden heavy downpour of rain.Doun comes a jaw o' droukin' rain / Upon their honours— / God sends a spate outower the plain, / Or mebbe thun'ers. — 1887 verb2 •(no longer used) To (suddenly) flood or inundate (a river or other watercourse) with water.[H]e paused in a reverie of wilderment and wonder when he could not discern the old fishing-places—they were deeply and darkly flooded for many yards on every side of the spated stream. — 1844 •(no longer used) To (suddenly) rain heavily; to pour. formsspated · spating · spates
