spates

英 [speɪts]

美 [speɪts]

n. 一连串，接二连三(通常指不愉快的事物)
spate的复数

柯林斯词典

N-COUNT 大批，一连串，一阵(尤指令人不快之物)
Aspate ofthings, especially unpleasant things, is a large number of them that happen or appear within a short period of time.
1. ...the recent spate of attacks on horses.
  最近发生的一连串袭马事件
2. ...the current spate of scandals.
  目前流传的大量谣言
PHRASE (河水)猛涨，泛滥
When a river isin spateit contains a lot more water than usual and is flowing very fast.
1. The Thames was in spate, with flocks of Canada geese speeding downriver.
  泰晤士河河水暴涨，成群的加拿大雁迅速游向下游。