smattering
[smat-er-ing]
- a slight, superficial, or introductory knowledge of something: a smattering of Latin.
Show More
- slight or superficial.
Show More
Origin of smattering
smatter
[smat-er]
- to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding.
- to dabble in.
Show More
- slight or superficial knowledge; smattering.
Show More
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. 2018
Examples from the Web for smattering
Contemporary Examples
The long crypt tunnels into a hillside, only visible by a smattering of skylights peeking up between graves.
There was a smattering of clean-cut sensation seekers and a few actual Hindus as well.
“I will be here in August 2014,” he thundered to a smattering of laughs and applause.
For the non-greenhorn, though, there is fun to be had in the smattering of fearless, at times audacious, assertions.
“There were a smattering of reactions,” Hoyt told The Daily Beast.
Historical Examples
He had a smattering of most things, this uncle, especially the vocabularies.
The Golden AgeKenneth Grahame
I had, therefore, only a smattering knowledge of the theory of this duty.
War from the InsideFrederick L. (Frederick Lyman) Hitchcock
Then, again, he must have a smattering of French, and affect to be above old England.
The English SpyBernard Blackmantle
A smattering of English Literature, and less than a smattering of French.
The Longest JourneyE. M. Forster
To buy them wisely, a smattering of their history is a requisite.
The Tapestry BookHelen Churchill Candee
smattering
- a slight or superficial knowledge
- a small amount
Show More
smatter
- a smattering
Show More
- (intr) rare to prattle
- (tr) archaic to dabble in
Show More
Word Origin
C14 (in the sense: to prattle): of uncertain origin; compare Middle High German smetern to gossip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for smattering
n.
"a slight or superficial knowledge," 1530s, verbal noun from smatter (v.).
Show More
smatter
v.
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.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper