Sprat n. 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.
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.
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Al·fi·o·ne n. Zool. An edible marine fish of California (Rhacochilus toxotes).
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