Spate
/speɪt/noun
A sudden large outpouring or flood of something, especially events or occurrences.
Did you know?Spate entered English through Scots and is ultimately linked to a Germanic root meaning a violent pouring or rush, which is why it naturally fits both water and a flood of events.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*spautaną
“to spew, spout, or gush out”
Old English
OE
spǣtan
“to spit”
Middle Scots
Scots
spait
“a rush or flood of water”
16th Century
English
spate
“a flood or overflow, especially of water”
Modern English
English
spate
“a large number or continuous series of things”