Hypertext Webster Gateway: "chatter"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Chatter \Chat"ter\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Chattered}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Chattering}.] [Of imitative origin. Cf. {Chat}, v. i.
{Chitter}.]
1. To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are
inarticulate and indistinct.
The jaw makes answer, as the magpie chatters.
--Wordsworth.
2. To talk idly, carelessly, or with undue rapidity; to
jabber; to prate.
To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue.
--Shak.
3. To make a noise by rapid collisions.
With chattering teeth, and bristling hair upright.
--Dryden.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Chatter \Chat"ter\, v. t.
To utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly.
Begin his witless note apace to chatter. --Spenser.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Chatter \Chat"ter\, n.
1. Sounds like those of a magpie or monkey; idle talk; rapid,
thoughtless talk; jabber; prattle.
Your words are but idle and empty chatter.
--Longfellow.
2. Noise made by collision of the teeth, as in shivering.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
chatter
n 1: noisy talk [syn: {yak}, {yack}, {yakety-yak}, {cackle}]
2: the rapid series of noises made by the parts of a machine
[syn: {chattering}]
3: the high-pitched continuing noise made by animals (birds or
monkeys) [syn: {chattering}]
v 1: click repeatedly or uncontrollably, as of teeth [syn: {click}]
2: cut unevenly with a chattering tool
3: chew the fat; shoot the breeze [syn: {chat}, {confabulate},
{confab}, {chitchat}, {chaffer}, {natter}, {gossip}, {jaw},
{claver}, {visit}]
4: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
[syn: {piffle}, {palaver}, {prate}, {tittle-tattle}, {twaddle},
{clack}, {maunder}, {prattle}, {blab}, {gibber}, {tattle},
{blabber}, {gabble}]
5: make noise as if chattering away: "The magpies were
chattering in the trees"
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