smatter
[ smat-er ]
/ ˈsmæt ər /
verb (used with object)
to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding.
to dabble in.
noun
slight or superficial knowledge; smattering.
Nearby words
smashed, smasher, smashing, smashingly, smatch, smatter, smatterer, smattering, smatteringly, smatv, smaze
Origin of smatter
1300–50; Middle English; perhaps < Scandinavian; compare Danish, Norwegian smadre to splash, swash, Swedish smattra to clatter, rattle; compare Middle Low German smetern to chatter
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for smattered
smatter
/ (ˈsmætə) /
noun
a smattering
verb
(intr) rare to prattle
(tr) archaic to dabble in
Derived Formssmatterer, noun
Word 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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Word Origin and History for smattered
smatter
early 15c., "talk idly, chatter; talk ignorantly or superficially," of uncertain origin, perhaps imitative. Similar forms are found in Middle High German smetern "to chatter" and Swedish smattra "to patter, rattle," and cf. Danish snaddre "chatter, jabber," Dutch snateren, German schnattern "cackle, chatter, prattle." Related: Smattered; smattering.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper