Etymology dictionary. 2014.
Smatter — Smat ter, v. i. [OE. smateren to make a noise; cf. Sw. smattra to clatter, to crackle, G. schmettern to dash, crash, to warble, quaver.] 1. To talk superficially or ignorantly; to babble; to chatter. [1913 Webster] Of state affairs you can not… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Smatter — Smat ter, v. t. 1. To talk superficially about. [1913 Webster] 2. To gain a slight taste of; to acquire a slight, superficial knowledge of; to smack. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Smatter — Smat ter, n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
smatter — [smat′ər] vt. [ME smateren, to chatter, prob. akin to MHG smetern, to chatter, gossip, of echoic orig.] Now Rare 1. to speak or utter (a language, words, etc.) with only slight knowledge 2. to study or learn (a subject) superficially n.… … English World dictionary
smatter — I. verb Etymology: Middle English smateren to make dirty, talk idly Date: 15th century intransitive verb to talk superficially ; babble transitive verb 1. to speak with spotty or superficial knowledge < smatters French > … New Collegiate Dictionary
smatter — verb a) To talk superficially; to babble. b) To speak (a language) with spotty or superficial knowledge; as, to smatter Arabic … Wiktionary
smatter — n. (also smattering) a slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject. Derivatives: smatterer n. Etymology: ME smatter talk ignorantly, prate: orig. unkn … Useful english dictionary
smatter — /smat euhr/, v.t. 1. to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding. 2. to dabble in. n. 3. slight or superficial knowledge; smattering. [1300 50; ME; perh. < Scand; cf. Dan, Norw smadre to splash, swash, Sw… … Universalium
smatter — Synonyms and related words: babble, burst, cackle, chat, chatter, clack, few, fragment, gab, gas, handful, jaw, pash, prate, prattle, rive, scattering, shiver, smash, smattering, spatter, spattering, splinter, sprinkling … Moby Thesaurus
smatter — n. limited knowledge, superficial knowledge v. speak with only superficial knowledge … English contemporary dictionary
