n.
Pronunciation: ' cha-t ə r
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English chatteren, of imitative origin
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1 : to utter rapid short sounds suggestive of language but inarticulate and indistinct <squirrels chatter ed angrily>
2 : to talk idly, incessantly, or fast
3 a : to click repeatedly or uncontrollably <teeth chatter ing with cold> b : to vibrate rapidly in cutting <a chatter ing tool> c : to vibrate especially audibly as a consequence of repeated sticking and slipping < chatter ing brakes>
transitive verb : to utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly
– chat · ter · er noun
– chat · tery \ -t ə -r ē \ adjective