Chatter
['tʃætə] or ['tʃætɚ]
Definition
(noun.) the high-pitched continuing noise made by animals (birds or monkeys).
(noun.) the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine.
(verb.) speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly.
(verb.) make noise as if chattering away; 'The magpies were chattering in the trees'.
(verb.) cut unevenly with a chattering tool.
(verb.) click repeatedly or uncontrollably; 'Chattering teeth'.
Checked by Cecily--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are inarticulate and indistinct.
(v. i.) To talk idly, carelessly, or with undue rapidity; to jabber; to prate.
(v. i.) To make a noise by rapid collisions.
(v. t.) To utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly.
(n.) Sounds like those of a magpie or monkey; idle talk; rapid, thoughtless talk; jabber; prattle.
(n.) Noise made by collision of the teeth, as in shivering.
Editor: Miles
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. n. Prate, prattle, chat, gossip, talk idly, talk freely.
n. Prate, prattle, CHAT.
Checker: Sylvia
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Rattle, jabber, cackle, prattle, twaddle
ANT:Reason, sense, argument, reticence, philosophy, conversation
Checked by Amy
Definition
v.i. to talk idly or rapidly: to sound as the teeth when one shivers.—ns. Chatt′erbox one who chatters or talks incessantly; Chatt′erer one that chatters: an idle talker: a significant popular name applied to the birds of a small family of finch-like perching birds as the Bohemian wax-wing and the cedar bird of America; Chatt′ering noise like that made by a magpie or by the striking together of the teeth: idle talk.
Inputed by Dennis
Examples
- This occurring many times in rapid succession is what causes the teeth to chatter. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- Your way, you little chatter-box? Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- He might have been the brass statue which Albertus Magnus is said to have animated just so far as to make it chatter, and move, and be his servant. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Shirley, you chatter so, I can't fasten you. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- I suppose so,' returned Bella; 'I look in the glass often enough, and I chatter like a Magpie. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- The senseless chatter of the young men at mess was more than ever jarring. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- At the same time, nobody could wonder if Mr. Elton should have aspiredMiss Woodhouse lets me chatter on, so good-humouredly. Jane Austen. Emma.
- As soon as his chattering teeth would let him speak, he smiled vacantly, and said he thought it must have been the Cramp. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Laughing and chattering like the idiot I was fast becoming I fell upon his prostrate form my fingers feeling for his dead throat. Edgar Rice Burroughs. A Princess of Mars.
- Peepy had scaled his crib, and crept down in his bed-gown and cap, and was so cold that his teeth were chattering as if he had cut them all. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Whatever is Christian Cantle's teeth a-chattering for? Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- An if I disturb you with my clicketten,' she meant her chattering, 'tell me so, Dan'l, and I won't. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Chattering on in this way, he led me back to the vestry. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- But they ignored him, as, chattering without heed, they set to mount the second flight. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- She bustled, she chattered, she turned and twisted, and smiled upon one, and smirked on another, all in full view of the jealous opera-glass opposite. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- He chattered on, with something of the smooth gossiping fluency of former times. Wilkie Collins. The Moonstone.
- Though her teeth chattered in her head from wet and cold, Mrs. Sparsit exulted hugely. Charles Dickens. Hard Times.
- Raw and chill was the winter morning: my teeth chattered as I hastened down the drive. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- And then you chattered, and she told you---- It was not at curling-hair time, so you are not as wise as you think; and, besides, she didn't tell me. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- As I passed him, his teeth loudly chattered in his head, and with every mark of extreme humiliation, he prostrated himself in the dust. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Meg danced and flirted, chattered and giggled, as the other girls did. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
Typed by Garrett