gibber

[ jib-er, gib- ]

verb (used without object)

1. to speak inarticulately or meaninglessly.
2. to speak foolishly; chatter.

noun

1. gibbering utterance.

gibber

¹

/ ˈɡɪbə /

noun

1. a stone or boulder
2. modifier of or relating to a dry flat area of land covered with wind-polished stones

   gibber plains

gibber

²

/ ˈdʒɪbə /

verb

1. to utter rapidly and unintelligibly; prattle
2. intr (of monkeys and related animals) to make characteristic chattering sounds

noun

1. a less common word for gibberish

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibber¹

1595–1605; origin uncertain; perhaps frequentative of gib (obsolete) to caterwaul ( gib ² ); sense and pronunciation influenced by association with jabber

Word History and Origins

Origin of gibber¹

C19: from a native Australian language

Origin of gibber²

C17: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Whether gibber comes from geber, as Dr Johnson contends, must remain in doubt.

From Project Gutenberg

Gibberish is no doubt derived from gibber, and it means idle nonsense.

From Project Gutenberg

See those things that ape our species dance and gibber round the famishing, hunted wretch.

From Project Gutenberg

Never a word they said, never a sound from the mouths that seemed to gibber.

From Project Gutenberg

If it had not been for the generous supply of "days off" that the Skipper allowed us, we should by February have begun to gibber.

From Project Gutenberg