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DictionaryspratSmall sea fish
noun

sprat

SPRAT/spræt/

A small sea fish related to herrings.

The sprat has silvery sides and a forked tail.

Single European sprat side profile, slender small marine clupeid fish, silvery flanks, blue-green back, one dorsal fin midway, deeply forked tail, small slightly projecting lower jaw, realistic fish anatomy on white with restrained ink/pencil scales, no water background.
Etymology
spratOld Englisha small herring

Old English sprott meant “a small herring,” reflecting the fish’s resemblance to its larger relative. Sprats were formerly confused with young herrings; the name’s deeper origin remains uncertain.

In context

Conservation and Science2:33
they'll keep doing it probably until the very last sprat and the very last herring is gone.
Irish Government Inaction... Until the Last Sprat and Herring Are Gone

More examples

  • The fishermen caught a shoal of sprats.
  • She served smoked sprats on toast.
  • The sprat's forked tail moved rapidly.

Forms

sprat · sprats

Similar words

herring
A sprat is a smaller related fish; herring names other members of the group.
sardine
Sardine is used for several small oily fish; sprat identifies a particular related fish.