Spate Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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spate
[speɪt ]
Definitions
in weather
A spate is a sudden flood of water, often caused by heavy rain or melting snow. It can lead to rapid rises in river levels and pose a danger to nearby areas.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| spate |
Used when talking about a sudden and large number of events or things, usually negative.
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| flood |
Used for literal or figurative overwhelming amounts of water or things. It can describe both natural disasters and large amounts of information or emotions.
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| deluge |
Used to describe a large, overwhelming amount of things or an actual, heavy downpour of rain.
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| inundation |
Primarily used in formal contexts to describe an overwhelming abundance of things, often in a figurative sense.
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Examples of usage
- The village was flooded after a spate of heavy rain.
- The river burst its banks due to the spate caused by the melting snow.
in speech
A spate can also refer to a sudden outpouring or rush of something, such as words or actions.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| spate |
Describes a frequent or large number of events happening one after the other within a short time. Can often imply something negative, like accidents or problems.
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| outburst |
Used for a sudden release of strong emotion, often anger or frustration. Typically describes an emotional reaction that is intense and might be unexpected.
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| surge |
Refers to a sudden and powerful forward or upward movement. Often used to describe a rapid increase in number or intensity, such as waves, crowds, emotions, or data.
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| rush |
Describes a situation where people or things are moving quickly, or when there is a high demand for something within a short period. Can also refer to a hurried act.
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Examples of usage
- She went on a spate of angry outbursts during the meeting.
- There has been a spate of new developments in the field of technology.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Nature
- Spate flows commonly occur after heavy rainfalls, where rivers can swell rapidly and cause floods.
- The term is often used in hydrology to describe brief episodes of high river discharge, which can lead to natural disasters.
- In some regions, controlled flooding is managed to prevent spates from causing damage, illustrating human impact on nature.
Literature
- In literature, 'spate' is often used metaphorically to describe an outpouring of emotions or events, as seen in poetry and prose.
- Many poets use the imagery of floods and spates to convey overwhelming feelings or experiences.
- For instance, an author might describe a character's tears during a sad moment as a spate, emphasizing the intensity of the emotion.
Psychology
- The term can describe sudden emotional spikes, such as a 'spate of anger' or 'spate of sadness,' illustrating rapid changes in mood.
- Understanding the concept of spates in emotions can help in therapeutic contexts, identifying triggers for sudden emotional responses.
- Mental health practitioners may refer to spates of anxiety that arise unexpectedly in certain situations, highlighting the unpredictability of emotions.
Pop Culture
- The term 'spate' is sometimes used in current media to describe rapid trends, such as a 'spate of reality TV shows' that emerge at once.
- In news articles, a 'spate of crimes' might describe an unusual rise in criminal activity over a short period, showcasing social concern.
- TV shows and movies sometimes depict a 'spate' of dramatic events happening in succession, drawing the audience's attention to chaos and urgency.
Origin of 'spate'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'spate' comes from the Scottish dialect, where it originally referred to a sudden flood.
- It was first recorded in the English language in the early 19th century, likely influenced by the word 'spate' used in Scotland.
- In some contexts, 'spate' can denote a rapid increase or outpouring, linking back to its roots in flooding.
The word 'spate' originated from the Old Norse word 'spati' which means 'a span of time'. Over time, it evolved to represent a sudden flood or rush of something. The term has been used in English since the early 16th century.