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

 

© Webster 1913.