smatter
[ smat-er ]
/ ˈsmæt ər /
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verb (used with object)
to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding.
to dabble in.
noun
a slight or superficial knowledge; smattering: She gets by with only a smatter of musical knowledge.
a small amount or number; smattering: a smatter of applause; smatters of nervous laughter.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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Origin of smatter
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; further origin uncertain; perhaps from Scandinavian; Danish, Norwegian smadre “to splash, smash (to pieces),” Swedish smattra “to clatter, rattle” (Middle Low German smetern “to chatter”), but the semantic development is unclear
Words nearby smatter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for smatter
British Dictionary definitions for smatter
smatter
/ (ˈsmætə) /
noun
a smattering
verb
(intr) rare to prattle
(tr) archaic to dabble in
Derived forms of smatter
smatterer, nounWord Origin for smatter
C14 (in the sense: to prattle): of uncertain origin; compare Middle High German smetern to gossip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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