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.
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.)
... to give Count von Falm and his wife a spin. They happened to be the only guests—except my boss—without a car of their own, and von Falm pointedly alluded to an advertisement promising an automobile for the service of visitors. Thereupon the bomb exploded. Young Castnet, like a sprat defying a sturgeon, refused to drive an enemy of his country. The sturgeon demanded the sprat's discharge. Miss Moore sought her father. "Larry" was teaching the Russian Countess tennis, and gaily gave his daughter carte blanche. She, overwhelmed by ... — The Lightning Conductor Discovers America • C. N. (Charles Norris) Williamson and A. M. (Alice Muriel)
...
