sprattle

[ sprat-l ]

noun

, Scot.

1. a struggle; fight.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sprattle¹

1815–25; metathetic variant of spartle to scatter, itself alteration of sparple ( Middle English < Old French esparpeiller < ?)

Example Sentences

“I thought me on the ourie cattle, Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle O’ wintry war; Or thro’ the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle, Beneath a scaur.

From Project Gutenberg

List'ning the doors an' winnocks rattle; I think me on the ourie cattle, Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle O' winter war, And thro' the drift, deep-lairing sprattle, Beneath a scaur!

From Project Gutenberg

I thought me on the ourie cattle, Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle O' wintry war, Or thro' the drift, deep-lairing sprattle, Beneath a scaur.

From Project Gutenberg

Listening at home while the storm made the doors and windows rattle, he bethought him on the cattle and sheep and birds outside— 'I thought me on the ourie cattle Or silly sheep, wha bide this brattle O' wintry war, And thro' the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle Beneath a scaur.'

From Project Gutenberg

Or thro' the drift, deep-lairing, sprattle, Beneath a scaur.

From Project Gutenberg