/ ˈtʃætə(r); NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb [ v ]
1.
chatter (away / on) (to sb) (about sth) to talk quickly and continuously, especially about things that are not important :
They chattered away happily for a while.
The children chattered to each other excitedly about the next day's events.
2.
( of teeth ) to knock together continuously because you are cold or frightened
3.
( of birds or monkeys ) to make a series of short high sounds
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IDIOMS
- the chattering classes
■ noun [ U ]
1.
continuous rapid talk about things that are not important :
Jane's constant chatter was beginning to annoy him.
idle chatter
2.
a series of quick short high sounds that some animals make :
the chatter of monkeys
3.
a series of short sounds made by things knocking together :
the chatter of teeth
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : imitative.