subs. (common).—1.  See quots.

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  1857.  SNOWDEN, Magistrates Assistant (3rd ed.), 444. Sixpence, downer, also SPRAT.

2

  1857.  Morning Chronicle, 2 Dec. Several Lascars were charged with passing SPRATS, the slang term applied to spurious fourpenny pieces, sixpences, and shillings.

3

  1898.  The Sporting Times, 19 Feb., i, 5. I don’t mean lunch with only two and a SPRAT in my clothes; have a drink?

4

  2.  (common).—A sweetheart: cf. BLOATER, DUCK, PIPPIN, &c.

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  3.  (common).—In pl. = furniture; effects: cf. MARBLES, STICKS, &c.

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  4.  (old).—An undersized or mean-looking man or boy; a SCARECROW (q.v.): also JACK SPRAT (q.v.).

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  1598.  SHAKESPEARE, All’s Well that Ends Well, iii. 6, 112. When his disguise and he is parted, tell me what a SPRAT you shall find him.

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