spat spat /ˈspæt/

noun

1. A young oyster or other bivalve  ( spat )
   a young oyster or other bivalve
    At the oyster farm, they carefully nurtured each spat until it matured into a full-sized oyster.
   At the oyster farm, they carefully nurtured each spat until it matured into a full-sized oyster.
   
   
2. A cloth covering (a legging) that covers the instep and ankles  ( gaiter , spat )
   a cloth covering (a legging) that covers the instep and ankles
   
   
3. [Informal] A quarrel about petty points  ( bicker , fuss , pettifoggery , bickering , spat [Informal] , squabble , tiff [Informal] , brannigan [Informal, American] )
   a quarrel about petty points
   

verb

1. Clap one's hands together  ( spat , clap )
   clap one's hands together
    The children were clapping to the music
   The children were clapping to the music
   
2. Spawn  ( spat )
   spawn
    Oysters spat
   oysters spat
   
3. [Informal] Engage in a brief and petty quarrel  ( spat [Informal] )
   engage in a brief and petty quarrel
   
4. Clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval  ( acclaim , spat , clap , applaud )
   clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
    The audience applauded the cast's performance, showing their appreciation with a standing ovation
   The audience applauded the cast's performance, showing their appreciation with a standing ovation
   
5. Strike with a sound like that of falling rain  ( spat )
   strike with a sound like that of falling rain
    Bullets were spatting the leaves
   Bullets were spatting the leaves
   
6. Become permanently attached  ( spat )
   become permanently attached
    Mollusks or oysters spat
   mollusks or oysters spat
   
7. Come down like raindrops  ( spat )
   come down like raindrops
    Bullets were spatting down on us
   Bullets were spatting down on us