spate

noun1 [usu. in sing. ] a large number of similar things orevents appearing or occurring in quick succession : a spate of attacks on travelers.2 chiefly Brit. a sudden flood in a river, esp. one causedby heavy rains or melting snow.PHRASESin ( full) spate (of a river) overflowing due to a sudden flood. • figurative (of a person or action) at the height of activity : work was in full spate.