chatter

- 3 dictionary results

chat⋅ter

[chat-er]

–verb (used without object)

1.	to talk rapidly in a foolish or purposeless way; jabber.

2.	to utter a succession of quick, inarticulate, speechlike sounds, as monkeys or certain birds.

3.	to make a rapid clicking noise by striking together: His teeth were chattering from the cold.

4.	Machinery. (of a cutting tool or piece of metal) to vibrate during cutting so as to produce surface flaws on the work.

–verb (used with object)

5.	to utter rapidly or purposelessly.

6.	to cause to chatter, as the teeth from cold.

–noun

7.	purposeless or foolish talk.

8.	a series of waves or ridges on the surface of a piece of metal that has been imperfectly drawn or extruded.

9.	the act or sound of chattering.

Origin:
1200–50; ME chateren; imit.

Related forms:

chat⋅ter⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

chat⋅ter⋅y, adjective

Synonyms:
2. clatter, click.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

chat·ter (chāt'ər)

v. chat·tered, chat·ter·ing, chat·ters

v. intr.

To talk rapidly, incessantly, and on trivial subjects; jabber.
To utter a rapid series of short, inarticulate, speechlike sounds: birds chattering in the trees.
To click quickly and repeatedly: Our teeth chattered from the cold.
To vibrate or rattle while in operation: A power drill will chatter if the bit is loose.

v. tr.
To utter in a rapid, usually thoughtless way: chattered a long reply.
n.

Idle, trivial talk.
Communication, such as e-mail and cell phone calls, between people who are involved in terrorism or espionage, as monitored by a government agency.
The sharp, rapid sounds made by some birds and animals.
A series of quick rattling or clicking sounds.

[Middle English chateren, of imitative origin.]
chat'ter·er n.

Word Origin & History

chatter

c.1225, chateren "to twitter, gossip," earlier cheateren, chiteren, of echoic origin. Chatterbox is 1774.

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