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twitter

 - 4 dictionary results

twit⋅ter

  [twit-er]
Use twitter in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to utter a succession of small, tremulous sounds, as a bird.
2. to talk lightly and rapidly, esp. of trivial matters; chatter.
3. to titter; giggle.
4. to tremble with excitement or the like; be in a flutter.
–verb (used with object)
5. to express or utter by twittering.
–noun
6. an act of twittering.
7. a twittering sound.
8. a state of tremulous excitement.
Origin:
1325–75; ME twiteren (v.); akin to G zwitschern

Related forms:
twit⋅ter⋅er, noun
twit⋅ter⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
8. flutter, tizzy, fluster.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To twitter
twit   (twĭt)   
tr.v.   twit·ted, twit·ting, twits
To taunt, ridicule, or tease, especially for embarrassing mistakes or faults. See Synonyms at ridicule.
n.  

  1. The act or an instance of twitting.

  2. A reproach, gibe, or taunt.

  3. Slang A foolishly annoying person.


[Short for obsolete atwite, from Middle English atwiten, from Old English ætwītan : æt, at; see at1 + wītan, to reproach; see weid- in Indo-European roots.]
twit'ter n.
twit·ter   (twĭt'ər)   
v.   twit·tered, twit·ter·ing, twit·ters

v.   intr.

  1. To utter a succession of light chirping or tremulous sounds; chirrup.

    1. To speak rapidly and in a tremulous manner: twittering over office gossip.

    2. To giggle nervously; titter.

  3. To tremble with nervous agitation or excitement.

v.   tr.
To utter or say with a twitter: twittered a greeting.
n.  

    1. The light chirping sound made by certain birds.

    2. A similar sound, especially light, tremulous speech or laughter.

  2. Agitation or excitement; flutter.


[Middle English twiteren, ultimately of imitative origin.]
twit'ter·er n., twit'ter·y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

twitter  (v.)
c.1374, of imitative origin (cf. O.H.G. zwizziron, Ger. zwitschern, Dan. kvidre). The noun meaning "condition of tremulous excitement" is attested from 1678.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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