tatter

¹

[tat-er]

noun

1. a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.

2. a separate torn piece; shred.

3. tatters, torn or ragged clothing.

   dressed in rags and tatters.

verb (used with object)

1. to tear or wear to tatters.

verb (used without object)

1. to become ragged.

tatter

²

[tat-er]

noun

1. a person who does tatting, tatting, especially as an occupation.

tatter

/ ˈtætə /

verb

1. to make or become ragged or worn to shreds

noun

1. (plural) torn or ragged pieces, esp of material

2. 1. torn to pieces; in shreds

   2. destroyed or ruined

Word History and Origins

Origin of tatter¹

1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English < Old Norse tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to Old English tætteca rag, shred; (v.) back formation from tattered

Origin of tatter²

First recorded in 1880–85; tat + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of tatter¹

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic töturr rag, Old English tættec, Old High German zæter rag

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, the Patriots are finally showing hope of escaping the tatters of Belichick’s final years in charge.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

In June, Wagner mercenaries left Mali, their reputation in tatters because of their failure to blunt insurgent advances and their history of slaughtering civilians in the name of providing security.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Now Potter has been engulfed by a similarly chaotic environment at West Ham, the reputation he built so carefully - along with a talented team at Brighton - in tatters.

Read more on BBC

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said Labour was in "complete meltdown" and its integrity was "in tatters".

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But, after his British transfer record move to Liverpool, his reputation in the North East is now in tatters.

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Related Words

• fragment 
• iota 
• modicum 
• ounce 
• sliver 
• smidgen 
• snippet 
• speck 
• whit