0 a larger number of events than usual, especially unpleasant ones, happening at about the same time: --
Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the Kingsland Road area.
1 an unusually large number of events that happen suddenly and at about the same time: --
We have had a spate of burglaries recently.
When rain comes, the run-off is much faster, and the spates are bigger, and are followed by a lower height of water.
Following the spate of detailed monographs, it may now be useful to try to put together again a picture of the whole man.
The river was in spate at that time.
As with the display of flags, a spate of letters was sent to the ministry of home affairs requesting that the song be banned.
In literary criticism, the spate of post-structuralist explorations of the indeterminacy of meaning has daunted some of the more ambitious foundationist hopes.
The spate of new legislation imposes a great strain upon the smaller firm.
The failure of the prosecution must have received widespread coverage for a spate of cases of hop 'pulling' subsequently occurred.
Given the recent spate of articles on the romance, it can no longer be considered virtually unknown.
