I. ˈfri-tər noun
Etymology: Middle English fritour, from Anglo-French friture, from Vulgar Latin * frictura, from Latin frictus, past participle of frigere to roast
Date: 14th century
: a small mass of fried or sautéed batter often containing fruit or meat
II. verb
Etymology: fritter, noun (fragment, shred)
Date: 1728
transitive verb
1. : to spend or waste bit by bit, on trifles, or without commensurate return — usually used with away
2. : to break into small fragments
intransitive verb
: dissipate , dwindle
• frit·ter·er -tər-ər noun