Sprat (?), n. [OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte.] [Zoology|Zool.] (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] [Zoology|Zool.], the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See [Diver]. -- [Sprat loon]. [Zoology|Zool.] (a) The young of the great northern diver. [Prov. Eng.] (b) The red-throated diver. See [Diver]. -- [Sprat mew] [Zoology|Zool.], the kittiwake gull.

© [Webster 1913].

Sprat (definition)