Of state affairs you can not smatter. --Swift.
[1913 Webster]
2. To have a slight taste, or a slight, superficial knowledge, of anything; to smack. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
Smatter — Smat ter, v. t. 1. To talk superficially about. [1913 Webster] 2. To gain a slight taste of; to acquire a slight, superficial knowledge of; to smack. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Smatter — Smat ter, n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
smatter — early 15c., talk idly, chatter, perhaps imitative. Similar forms are found in M.H.G. smetern to chatter and Swed. smattra to patter, rattle. Smatterer one who has superficial knowledge is attested from 1510s … Etymology dictionary
smatter — [smat′ər] vt. [ME smateren, to chatter, prob. akin to MHG smetern, to chatter, gossip, of echoic orig.] Now Rare 1. to speak or utter (a language, words, etc.) with only slight knowledge 2. to study or learn (a subject) superficially n.… … English World dictionary
smatter — I. verb Etymology: Middle English smateren to make dirty, talk idly Date: 15th century intransitive verb to talk superficially ; babble transitive verb 1. to speak with spotty or superficial knowledge < smatters French > … New Collegiate Dictionary
smatter — verb a) To talk superficially; to babble. b) To speak (a language) with spotty or superficial knowledge; as, to smatter Arabic … Wiktionary
smatter — n. (also smattering) a slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject. Derivatives: smatterer n. Etymology: ME smatter talk ignorantly, prate: orig. unkn … Useful english dictionary
smatter — /smat euhr/, v.t. 1. to speak (a language, words, etc.) with superficial knowledge or understanding. 2. to dabble in. n. 3. slight or superficial knowledge; smattering. [1300 50; ME; perh. < Scand; cf. Dan, Norw smadre to splash, swash, Sw… … Universalium
smatter — Synonyms and related words: babble, burst, cackle, chat, chatter, clack, few, fragment, gab, gas, handful, jaw, pash, prate, prattle, rive, scattering, shiver, smash, smattering, spatter, spattering, splinter, sprinkling … Moby Thesaurus
smatter — n. limited knowledge, superficial knowledge v. speak with only superficial knowledge … English contemporary dictionary
