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tatter

1
[ tat-er ]
/ ˈtæt ər /
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See synonyms for: tatter / tattered / tattering / tatters 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

Other definitions 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. 2023

How to use tatter in a sentence

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
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