Dictionary.com

tatter

1
[ tat-er ]
/ ˈtæt ər /
See synonyms for: tatter / tattered / tattering on Thesaurus.com

noun

a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.
a separate torn piece; shred.
tatters, torn or ragged clothing: dressed in rags and tatters.

verb (used with object)

to tear or wear to tatters.

verb (used without object)

to become ragged.

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Origin of tatter

1
1375–1425; (noun) late Middle English <Old Norse tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to Old English tætteca rag, shred; (v.) back formation from tattered

Definition for tatter (2 of 2)

tatter2
[ tat-er ]
/ ˈtæt ər /

noun

a person who does tatting, especially as an occupation.

Origin of tatter

2
First recorded in 1880–85; tat + -er1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to tatter

speck, fragment, snippet, modicum, whit, smidgen, iota, sliver, ounce, hole, crack, needle, garb, frock, sportswear, tear, shave, unravel, erode, frazzle

Example sentences from the Web for tatter

British Dictionary definitions for tatter

tatter
/ (ˈtætə) /

verb

to make or become ragged or worn to shreds

noun

(plural) torn or ragged pieces, esp of material
in tatters
  1. torn to pieces; in shreds
  2. destroyed or ruined

Word Origin for tatter

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic töturr rag, Old English tættec, Old High German zæter rag
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