Middle English spate (also spait), first recorded c. 1425 in Scottish and northern English usage meaning 'a sudden flood'. The further origin is uncertain; possibly related to spatter and Dutch spatten ('to splash'), perhaps from a Proto-Indo-European root imitative of spitting or splashing. The figurative sense of 'a large number of things at once' developed later from the core image of a sudden, uncontrollable rush.
What does spate mean?
Spate has two meanings: literally, a sudden flooding of a river ('the river was in spate'); figuratively, a large number of similar things happening at once ('a spate of burglaries').
How do you use spate in a sentence?
Always follow it with 'of' in the figurative sense: 'a spate of complaints', 'a spate of new regulations'. In the literal sense it can stand alone: 'the river came into spate overnight'.
What is the difference between spate and wave?
Both describe a concentrated burst of events. Spate tends to imply something more sudden, overwhelming, and often unwelcome. Wave is more neutral and can describe positive trends too.
Is spate British English?
Yes, spate is more common in British and Scottish English. American English tends to prefer 'rash', 'wave', or 'string' for the figurative sense.
What is the origin of the word spate?
Spate is Middle English, first recorded c. 1425 in Scottish and northern English. Its ultimate origin is uncertain — possibly related to spatter or Dutch spatten (to splash). It originally described a sudden river flood.