gibber

American  

[jib-er, gib-] / ˈdʒɪb ər, ˈgɪb- /

verb (used without object)

1. to speak inarticulately or meaninglessly.

2. to speak foolishly; chatter.

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noun

1. gibbering utterance.

gibber ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒɪbə /

verb

1. to utter rapidly and unintelligibly; prattle

2. (intr) (of monkeys and related animals) to make characteristic chattering sounds

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noun

1. a less common word for gibberish

gibber ² British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of gibber

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

Example Sentences

Some of them may gibber at you, particularly if they're coming up.

From The Guardian • Nov. 9, 2012

"I like your watch," he says while I gibber into his big, beautiful, travel-befuddled face.

From The Guardian • Sep. 18, 2010

And the ocean turned out to gibber rather than murmur.

From The New Yorker • Jan. 25, 2010

A kind of Greek chorus of Harlem harpies gibber, clown, and rummage about as if they were witnessing the fall of a discount house of Atreus.

From Time Magazine Archive

We were bunched beside the doors, trying not to gibber.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck