titter
[ tit-er ]
/ ˈtɪt ər /
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verb (used without object)
to laugh in a restrained, self-conscious, or affected way, as from nervousness or in ill-suppressed amusement.
noun
a tittering laugh.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!
Set some time apart to test your bracket symbol knowledge, and see if you can keep your parentheses, squares, curlies, and angles all straight!
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.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of titter
1610–20; perhaps <Scandinavian; compare Old Norse tittra to quiver, Swedish (dial.) tittra to giggle
OTHER WORDS FROM titter
tit·ter·er, nountit·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·tit·ter·ing, adjectiveWords nearby titter
titration, titre, titrimetric, tits and ass, tit-tat-toe, titter, tittivate, tittle, tittle-tattle, tittup, titty
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for titter
British Dictionary definitions for titter
titter
/ (ˈtɪtə) /
verb
(intr) to snigger, esp derisively or in a suppressed way
(tr) to express by tittering
noun
a suppressed laugh, chuckle, or snigger
Derived forms of titter
titterer, nountittering, adjectivetitteringly, adverbWord Origin for titter
C17: of imitative origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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