1. brief quarrels or disagreements
Usage: informal
2. cloth or leather coverings worn over shoes and ankles
Usage: historical

1. third person singular present of spit
2. past tense of spit

Examples

• The couple had frequent spats about money.
• Their spats never lasted more than a few minutes.
• He wore white spats with his formal shoes.
• The gentleman’s spats were perfectly polished.
• She spats out her gum before entering the store.
• The cat spats at the dog when cornered.
• He spats on the ground in disgust.