sprat: see herring.

Sprat, Thomas, 1635-1713, English author, bishop of Rochester and dean of Westminster. His poem on the death of Oliver Cromwell was published in Dryden's Miscellany (1659). Sprat is best remembered for his History of the Royal Society (1667), of which he was one of the first members.

or brisling

Species (Sprattus sprattus) of edible fish in the herring family. Sprats are silver marine fishes that form enormous schools in western European waters. Less than 6 in. (15 cm) long, they are especially valuable for canning as sardines. They are eaten fresh, tinned in oil, pickled, or smoked. The term also refers to a small or young herring or similar fish (e.g., anchovy).

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