noun
spat
A short cloth covering worn over the ankle and upper part of a shoe.
The dancer wears white spats over his polished black shoes.
Etymology
Spat shortens spatterdash, a covering intended to protect the lower leg from splashes. The shortened garment retains the ankle-covering function.
More examples
- She fastens the buttons on each spat before stepping onstage.
- A pair of spats completes his old-fashioned formal outfit.
- The muddy spats keep his socks and shoe tops clean.
Forms
spat · spats
Similar words
- gaiter
- Usually covers more of the lower leg than a spat.
- overshoe
- Covers the whole shoe rather than just its upper part.