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plural sprat or sprats
Any of various small, herring-like, marine fish in the genus Sprattus, in the family Clupeidae. examples
Any of various similar fish of other genera. examples
(by extension) Anything petty or insignificant. examples
(UK, slang, obsolete) A sixpence. quotations
The price of a case (five shillings piece bad) from the smasher is about one shilling; an alderman (two and sixpence) about sixpence; a peg (shilling) about threepence; a downer or sprat (sixpence) about twopence.
1859, Snowden's magistrates assistant, page 90