n. [ OE. sprot, sprotte, D. sprot; akin to G. sprotte. ] (Zool.) (a) A small European herring (Clupea sprattus) closely allied to the common herring and the pilchard; -- called also garvie. The name is also applied to small herring of different kinds. (b) A California surf-fish (Rhacochilus toxotes); -- called also alfione, and perch. [ 1913 Webster ]
Sprat borer (Zool.), the red-throated diver; -- so called from its fondness for sprats. See Diver. --
Sprat loon. (Zool.) (a) The young of the great northern diver. [ Prov. Eng. ] (b) The red-throated diver. See Diver. --
Sprat mew (Zool.), the kittiwake gull. [ 1913 Webster ]
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