I. ˈsmad.ə(r), -atə- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English smateren, probably of imitative origin like Middle High German smetern to chatter, gossip, Swedish smattra to clatter, crackle
transitive verb
1. obsolete : spot , spatter , defile
2. : to speak or utter so as to reveal a spotty or superficial knowledge
to smatter French
3. : to dabble in : study bits of
I have smattered law … letters … geography — R.L.Stevenson
4.
[influenced in meaning by shatter ]
Scotland : to break in pieces : shatter
intransitive verb
1. : to talk superficially and disconnectedly : babble , chatter
2. : to have a slight, superficial, and spotty knowledge : dabble
II. noun
( -s )
1. : slight piecemeal knowledge : smattering
a smatter of French
2. Scotland : small bits : insignificant things : fragments
3. : a heterogeneous collection : smattering
a weary smatter of applause — M.W.Straight