[usu. in sing.]a large number of similar things or events appearing or occurring in quick succession 大量;大批;一连串 a spate of attacks on holidaymakers. 对度假者一连串的袭击。
(chiefly Brit.)a sudden flood in a river, especially one caused by heavy rains or melting snow (主英)(河水)猛涨,泛滥
常用词组 in (full) spate
(of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood (河水)泛滥 ■(figurative)(of a person or action) at the height of activity (喻)(人,活动)在全盛期,在高潮 work was in full spate. 工作正在全速进行。
语源
late Middle English (originally Scots and northern English in the sense 'flood, inundation'): of unknown origin