† twittern.¹

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: twit v., -er suffix¹.

Etymology: < twit v. + -er suffix¹.

Obsolete. rare.

A person who censures, reproaches, or upbraids someone; cf. twit v. 1. Also (English regional): a telltale; cf. twit v. 2.

ΘΚΠ

society > communication > information > rumour > [noun] > tale-bearer

rounderOE

blabc1374

tale-teller1377

clatterer1388

tittlerc1400

talebearer1478

whisterer1519

whisperer1547

telltale1548

tattler1549

clatterfart1552

tale-carrier1552

babbler?1555

gossip1566

gossiper1568

carry-tale1577

mumble-news1598

twitter1598

buzzer1604

blob-talea1670

gadabout1757

tell-pie1771

circulator1792

clype1825

windjammer1880

tattle-tale1889

panta1908

clatfarta1930

1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Improueratore, an upbraider, a twitter.

1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Twitter, one that twits, one that throws something in the teeth of another.

1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 365 ‘Don't tell him anything, he's a twitter.’

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

twittern.²

Brit.

/ˈtwɪtə/, U.S.

/ˈtwɪdər/, Scottish English

/ˈtwɪtər/, Irish English

/ˈtwɪtər/

Origin: Of unknown origin.

Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare twine v.¹, twist v., twirl v.¹, in senses related to rotating motion, and fitters n., flitters n., fritter n.², in senses related to small fragments. Compare earlier twittered adj., and also later twit n.³ and twitter v.²

a. A thin part in an unevenly spun thread. Frequently in extended use and in similative expressions, denoting anything slender, feeble, or insubstantial. Chiefly English regional (northern), Scottish, and Irish English (northern) in later use.In quots. 1639, 1640 in phrases denoting a precarious or uncertain position; cf. to hang by a thread at thread n. 12.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > defect or irregularity in

noba1398

twitter1639

twit1819

slub1825

snick1875

ballooning1904

1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 95 It goes on a twitter.

1640 R. Guy Merry Carelesse Lover (single sheet) It hangs upon a Twitter, Whether she hates or loves me deare.

1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 395 You are as small as the Twitter of a twin'd Rusky, a Taunt to a Maid, that would gladly be esteem'd neat, and small.

?1765 Anc. Hist. Bucky-harbour i. 4 Her waist was like a twitter.

1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) Yarn is said to be twined to twitters, when twined too small... It is said of a lank delicate girl; ‘She's a mere twitter’.

a1869 C. Spence From Braes of Carse (1898) 181 The goodwife's yarn broke at the twitter.

1929 M. Mulcaghey Ballymulcaghey 25 Tam thought that he was no twitter of a musician himself.

1996 C. I. Macafee Conc. Ulster Dict. 368/2 Twitter, a thin place in unevenly-spun thread.

†b. English regional (Yorkshire). An entanglement in yarn, thread, etc.; (figurative) a complication, a difficulty. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > entanglement or entangled state > [noun] > that which is entangled > a tangle

node1572

knarl1598

snarl1609

rivel1625

ravel1634

snick-snarl1649

mare1688

harla1697

tangle1757

round turn1769

fankle1824

twist1858

twitter1876

taut1887

1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Twitters, entangled threads; complications of all sorts.

1928 A. E. Pease Dict. Dial. N. Riding Yorks. 145/1 Twitters, twisted entanglements and kinks of twine, thread, wool or the like. ‘Me wool's getten itsel inti syke twitters 'at it'll be a bonny job ti get it stryten'd oot.’

†2. Chiefly English regional (northern). A shred, a fragment. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a separate part > a fragment

shreddingc950

brucheOE

shredc1000

brokec1160

truncheonc1330

scartha1340

screedc1350

bruisinga1382

morsel1381

shedc1400

stumpc1400

rag?a1425

brokalyc1440

brokeling1490

mammocka1529

brokelette1538

sheavec1558

shard1561

fragment1583

segment1586

brack1587

parcel1596

flaw1607

fraction1609

fracture1641

pash1651

frustillation1653

hoof1655

arrachement1656

jaga1658

shattering1658

discerption1685

scar1698

twitter1715

frust1765

smithereens1841

chitling1843

1715 ‘N. Ninnyhammer’ Homer in Nut-shell iii. 63 My lousy Blade flies into flitters, When I should cut this Dog to twitters.

a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) f. 408^v Twitters, pieces, as broke all in twitters. North.

1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale 89/2 Twitters, shreds, fragments.

†3. Whaling. The membranous residue left after the removal of the spermaceti by hand from the case of a sperm whale. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > other animal raw materials > [noun] > material from sperm whale

spermaceti1471

parmacety1545

head matter1747

slobgollion1851

head1874

twitter1891

1891 Cent. Dict. Twitter, the refuse or residuum of the case of the sperm-whale, a gummy and thready substance left when the case is squeezed.

1903 C. H. Stevenson Aquatic Products Arts & Industries 196 The oil flows freely between their fingers into the pots, while the refuse, called ‘twitter’, is thrown into another receptacle.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

twittern.³

Brit.

/ˈtwɪtə/, U.S.

/ˈtwɪdər/

Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: twitter v.¹

Etymology: < twitter v.¹

a. A state of nervous excitement or agitation; a fluster. Frequently in in a twitter. In later use chiefly colloquial and regional.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > [noun] > state of trepidation

flighta1535

trepidation1625

twitter1653

trepidity1721

twitteration1775

trepidancy1840

twit1891

swivet1892

flat spin1917

the mind > emotion > fear > physical symptoms of fear > [noun] > shudder or shuddering > state of tremulous agitation

flighta1535

trepidation1625

twitter1653

trepidity1721

twitteration1775

the shakes1837

trepidancy1840

1653 S. Fisher Παιδοβαπτιζοντες Παιδιζοντες: Baby-baptism iii. 524 So doubtful is the sense of the Scribes that scraped it..bespeaking its patrons to be in a twitter, in a temper between Hawk and Buzzard.

1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 6 The Ancient Errant Knights, Won all their Ladies Hearts, in Fights, And cut whole Gyants into fitters, To put them into amorous twitters.

a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. iii. §31 141 The Attorney-General..was in a Twitter; for some of his Friends told him he would certainly be questioned for it in Parliament.

1775 R. Cumberland Choleric Man iii. ii. 42 Now the duce fetch this madcap brother of mine, what a twitter has he thrown me into!

1802 G. Colman Poor Gentleman (new ed.) i. i. 5 If I ben't all of a twitter to see my old John Harrowby again!

1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. 151 A leap of the heart..and a sort of tingling twitter through all his blood.

1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 208 The engine-driver in a fearfu' twitter for fear he would upset the royal train.

1966 R. S. Heinlein Moon is Harsh Mistress (1967) 133 We had Mort in a twitter; he was yelling for help.

2003 Times 15 Sept. 31/1 Even the vividly stressed O'Brien has never looked in quite such a twitter over a horse.

b. Chiefly English regional and U.S. A fit of laughter; (in later use) esp. a titter, a giggle. Cf. twitter v.¹ 3.The precise sense in quot. 1700 is unclear, and may alternatively be interpreted as ‘a mocking jibe, a taunt’; cf. twit n.¹ 1a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > [noun] > giggling or tittering > instance of

tee-hee1593

gigglea1677

twitter1700

titter1725

1700 B. H. Fables Æsop xcviii. 96 Says a Fox to a Lioness, bantring in Mirth, ‘I wonder you have but one Son at a Birth’: Says the Lioness to Her, ‘pray cease from your Twitters’.

1736 J. Lewis Hist. Isle Tenet (ed. 2) 39 Twitter, a Fit of Laughter; he is in a mighty Twitter.

1845 H. C. Knight in My Early Home & Other Tales 8 He listens; a soft footfall here—a suppressed twitter there.

1949 Lawrence (Kansas) Jrnl.-World 24 June 4/4 The middle-aged women who greets every comment with an affected twitter, or giggle.

2005 Pittsburgh (Pa.) Tribune Rev. (Nexis) 23 Dec. But some scenes designed for laughs passed without a twitter.

2. A light, tremulous sound or call made by a bird; a chirrup, a warble (cf. twitter v.¹ 1a). Also: any light, tremulous sound likened to this.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [noun] > twitter or chirp

chattera1250

twit1602

twitter1709

twit1769

chirrup1830

churr1837

tweet1837

chipper1844

chirp1850

chitter1869

1709 E. Ward Secret Hist. Clubs xix. 181 Our Musical Admirers of Cage-Harmony, who are charm'd so unaccountably with a little Twitter and Chearup, Entertain..any that will take Tickets.

1765 W. Stevenson Orig. Poems I. i. 26 Each bird..Warbles in well-known twitters all the while.

1842 R. Browning Waring in Bells & Pomegranates No. III: Dramatic Lyrics 11/1 As pours some pigeon..her melodious cry Amid their [sc. swallows'] barbarous twitter!

1849 W. S. Mayo Kaloolah (1850) v. 40 The hesitating twitter of the sleepy birds.

1871 Lippincott's Mag. Apr. 435/1 ‘Pipe down, sir,’ says this youngster to the boatswain; and then such a twitter of pipes followed this order.

1902 J. C. Snaith Wayfarers xvi The ceaseless twitter of the rain on the road.

2003 Houston Chron. (Nexis) 17 Jan. 3 The bird flutters skyward in a series of wide spirals, emitting a musical twitter.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† twittern.⁴

Origin: Either (i) a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Or (ii) formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymons: quittor n.; twitter-bone n.

Etymology: Either (i) a variant (with assimilation of consonants) of quittor n., or (ii) short for twitter-bone n.

Farriery. Obsolete.

A purulent fistula at the coronet of a horse's foot; a quittor (quittor n. 3). Cf. twitter-bone n.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of feet or hooves

pains1440

mellitc1465

false quarter1523

gravelling?1523

founder1547

foundering1548

foot evil1562

crown scab1566

prick1566

quittor bone1566

moltlong1587

scratches1591

hoof-bound1598

corn1600

javar1600

frush1607

crepance1610

fretishing1610

seam1610

scratchets1611

kibe1639

tread1661

grease1674

gravel1675

twitter-bone1688

cleft1694

quittor1703

bleymes1725

crescent1725

hoof-binding1728

capelet1731

twitter1745

canker1753

grease-heels1753

sand-crack1753

thrush1753

greasing1756

bony hoof1765

seedy toe1829

side bone1840

cracked heel1850

mud fever1872

navicular1888

coronitis1890

toe-crack1891

flat-foot1894

1745 Daily Advertiser 6 May A black Mare..a little white on her near Foot behind, touch'd with the Grease, and hath a Crack down that Hoof by a Twitter.

1783 F. Clater Every Man his own Farrier 94 Vide Section of poll-evil, fistulas, and twitters.

1820 J. C. Knowlson Compl. Farrier 106 By this method most Twitters may be removed.

1892 Lincs. Notes & Queries Apr. 45 Twitter, a tumour or gathering on a horse's foot, just above the hoof.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019).

twitterv.¹

Brit.

/ˈtwɪtə/, U.S.

/ˈtwɪdər/

Forms: Middle English twiter, Middle English twitr- (inflected form), Middle English twyter, 1600s– twitter, 1800s twither (English regional (Yorkshire)).

Origin: Either (i) an imitative or expressive formation. Or perhaps (ii) a word inherited from Germanic.

Etymology: Either (i) imitative, or perhaps (ii) cognate with Old High German zwizzirōn , zwizerōn (Middle High German zwitzern , German zwitzern , zwitschern ) < a West Germanic base of imitative origin. Compare Dutch kwetteren (1599) to warble, to chatter, and the Scandinavian forms cited at quitter v.² Compare quitter v.² and whitter v.In senses 2 and 3 perhaps showing influence from titter v.¹ and titter v.² respectively.

a. intransitive. Of a bird: to give a call consisting of repeated light tremulous sounds; to chirrup, to warble. Cf. twitter n.³ 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [verb (intransitive)] > chirp or twitter

chirmOE

chattera1250

janglea1300

jargon?a1366

chirkc1386

chirtc1386

chitterc1386

twittera1387

chirpc1440

yipc1440

channerc1480

quitter1513

chirrup1579

chipper1593

pip1598

gingreate1623

chita1639

sweet1677

shatter17..

swee-swee1839

weet-weet1845

cheet1855

tweet1856

twiddle1863

weet1866

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 237 Þe nyȝtyngale in his note Twytereþ wel fawnyng Wiþ full swete song.

a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. xxxiii. 639 Þe male [sparrow] is ielous of his wyf and twiteriþ [emended in ed. to fiȝtiþ] ofte for here.

?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. ii. l. 1875 Þe Iangland brid..inclosed in a streit cage..twitriþ [?c1425 Cambr. Ii.3.21 twiterith] desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys.

1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 135 Swallows twitter on the Chimney Tops.

1730 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons 164 They twitter chearful, till the vernant months Invite them welcome back.

1751 T. Gray Elegy v. 6 The swallow twitt'ring from the straw-built shed.

1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 230 Colonies of sparrows chirped and twittered in the eaves.

1860 ‘Little Jacob’ Colonial Pen-Scratchings 89 Robins twittering all about, robins with such vermilion breasts, and such black velvet feathers that one never sees in England.

1961 D. Hammett Man named Thin in Nightmare Town (1999) 335 Too busy listening to the little birdies twitter to hear me?

2004 Gloucester Citizen (Nexis) 27 Sept. 6 House martins..circle in the sky, and swoop, twittering, over the field.

b. transitive. Of a bird: to produce (a note or song) by chirruping or warbling; to express or communicate (something) in this way.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [verb (transitive)] > chirp or sing

bechirma1250

twittera1387

chitter1393

chatterc1400

bechirp1600

chirp1614

chirrupa1657

gambola1657

tweet1851

jargon1894

a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 237 Þe osul twytereþ mery songes.

a1657 G. Daniel Poems (1878) II. 70 The Squallid owle Twitters a midnight note.

1755 J. Hervey Theron & Aspasio I. iv. 133 The Goldfinches twitter their Loves, and display their painted Plumes.

1775 J. Wise Misc. of Poems 120 Yonder the solemnly-sweet-cooing dove: The swallow too merrily twittering love.

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 105 Linnets,..twittering their welcomes to the day's return.

1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. iii. 14 The swifts and swallows..Twitter their gossip in the evening light.

1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xxxvii. 34 The very birds of the air seemed to flit away from him [sc. Nero], twittering ‘Matricide! matricide!’

1931 Auk 48 488 During the day she flew off, twittering her complaint at my too near approach.

2003 Herald Express (Torquay) (Nexis) 16 May 9 Swallows trill and twitter a four-note cry.

c. intransitive. Of a person: to talk in a rapid, tremulous voice; to chatter, to babble. Also: to sing in a manner likened to that of a bird (cf. sense 1a).

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > be talkative [verb (intransitive)] > talk excessively or chatter

chavel?c1225

babblea1250

chattera1250

clacka1250

janglea1300

ganglec1300

clapc1315

mumblec1350

blabberc1375

carp1377

tatterc1380

garre1382

rattlec1400

clatter1401

chimec1405

gabc1405

pattera1450

smattera1450

languetc1450

pratec1460

chat1483

jabber1499

clittera1529

cackle1530

prattle1532

blatter1533

blab1535

to run on pattens1546

tattle1547

prittle-prattlea1555

trattlea1555

tittle-tattle1556

quiddlea1566

brabble1570

clicket1570

twattle1573

gabble1574

prittle1583

to like to hear oneself speak, talk1597

to word it1612

deblaterate1623

tongue1624

twitter1630

snatter1647

oversay1656

whiffle1706

to gallop away1711

splutter1728

gob1770

gibble-gabble1775

palaver1781

to talk (etc.) nineteen to the dozen1785

gammon1789

witter1808

yabble1808

yaff1808

mag1810

chelp1820

tongue-pad1825

yatter1825

potter1826

chipper1829

jaw-jaw1831

buzz1832

to shoot off one's mouth1864

yawp1872

blate1878

chin1884

yap1888

spiel1894

to talk (also lie, swear, etc.) a blue streak1895

to run off at the mouth1908

chattermag1909

clatfart1913

to talk a streak1915

to run one's mouth1916

natter1942

ear-bash1944

rabbit1950

yack1950

yacker1961

to eat parrot head (also bottom)1965

yacket1969

to twat on1996

1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. B2^v How the mammet twitters!

1829 Countess Granville Let. 22 Nov. (1894) II. 49 They..are enchanted, twittering like hedge-sparrows.

1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 35 While a man is singing and twittering and pouring music like water through the funnel of his ears, the edge of his soul gradually wears away.

1879 K. S. Macquoid Berkshire Lady 178 The old lady twittered and fluttered.

1934 J. Buchan Free Fishers vii. 107 The minister stood by twittering gently, while the housekeeper laid the youth on the sofa.

2005 Rev. Eng. Stud. 56 637 We sound like a bunch of Victorian theists twittering unhappily about the horrors into which Darwinian theory might plunge us.

d. transitive. Of a person: to express or communicate (something) in a rapid, tremulous voice. Also: to sing (something) in a manner likened to that of a bird (cf. sense 1b). Also with away, out.Frequently with direct speech as object.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > say in a lively manner

rattle1402

pourc1451

to run off1680

twitter1689

perk1940

zing1975

1689 Ld. Delamere Late Ld. Russel's Case 12 Mr. Solicitor Finch twitter'd out two or three imperfect Precedents.

1774 Fugitive Misc. II. 41 All the entertainment which you can promise yourself in his company, is the songs that he gives you: these you must keep demanding, until he has twittered away all his stock.

1864 R. Browning Youth & Art iii I..trilled and twittered, ‘Kate Brown's on the boards ere long’.

1878 R. Browning Poets Croisic lxxi These [lines], brisk as any finch, He twittered.

1900 ‘S. Grand’ Babs xvii ‘Really, Mrs. Kingconstance,’ Miss Spice twittered excitedly, ‘you are too kind!’

1948 C. Rice Big Midget Murders vii. 59 I would have sent for Mr. McJackson, he twittered, but I didn't know where to reach him.

2004 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 17 Apr. 18 ‘I'm so nervous,’ she twittered. ‘I feel good, I just don't know what to say between songs.’

†e. transitive. To bring (something) into a specified condition by making repeated light, tremulous sounds. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [verb (transitive)] > bring into a state by twittering

twitter1860

1860 T. L. Peacock Gryll Grange xiv, in Fraser's Mag. June 768 The piano-forte is not much to my mind... Its incapability of sustaining a note has led..to those infinitesimal subdivisions of sound, in which all sentiment and expression are twittered and frittered into nothingness.

†a. intransitive. With after, at, or infinitive. To have a yearning desire or strong wish to do something; to yearn for something. Cf. twittering n.¹ 2a. Obsolete.Probably a figurative extension of sense 2b, although recorded slightly earlier.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > longing or yearning > long or yearn [verb (intransitive)]

thirstc893

forlongc1175

longc1225

alonga1393

greena1400

suspirec1450

earnc1460

to think long?1461

sigh1549

groanc1560

hank1589

twitter1616

linger1630

hanker1642

to hang a nose1655

hangc1672

yammer1705

yen1919

1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie iv. sig. G3 When it twitterd to be at me.

1667 G. Bishop New Eng. Judged: 2nd Pt. 28 Your lips twittered after another draught of blood, and your stomachs rould, whilst your Janizaries forc't a Dinner of blood for you.

1673 J. Dryden Assignation i. 6 What's here? An humble Petition for a private Meeting? Are you twittering at that sport already, Mistriss Novice?

a1688 J. Bunyan Israel's Hope Encouraged in Wks. (1692) 229/2 Doth not all this Discourse make thy Heart twitter after the Mercy that is with God?

b. intransitive. To tremble or move to and fro with a light rapid motion; to shake, quiver, flutter; esp. to tremble with excitement, eagerness, fear, etc. Frequently regional and chiefly U.S. in later use.Earlier currency of this sense is probably implied by sense 2a.

ΘΚΠ

the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > vibrate [verb (intransitive)] > tremble or quiver

shiverc1250

tremble1303

lillec1400

tryllec1400

quaver?a1439

didderc1440

dadderc1450

whitherc1450

bever1470

dindle1470

brawl1489

quiver1490

quitter1513

flichter1528

warble1549

palsy1582

quoba1586

twitter1629

dither1649

verberate1652

quibble1721

dandera1724

tremulate1749

vibrate1757

dingle1787

nidge1803

tirl1825

reel1847

shudder1849

tremor1921

1629 J. Gaule Distractions 206 Hands clap, Fingers twitter.

1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 50 Twitter, to tremble... My heart Twitters.

1684 T. Southerne Disappointment ii. i. 17 Her Eyes and Lips; see how they blubb and pout, and Twitter and swell at you!

1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 92 I twitter'd like a leaf.

1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges iv. 195 The bigness, boisterousness..of the young princes..appeared to have..set all the tea-cups twittering on the tray.

1878 R. L. Stevenson Inland Voy. 114 I was..twittering with cold.

1930 T. S. Eliot tr. ‘St.-J. Perse’ Anabasis 27 My heart twittered with joy.

1963 K. Vonnegut Cat's Cradle (1965) 114 Her eyes glazed over, and her long, bony fingers twittered idly over the noiseless keys.

2010 O. Jaffae Cammie & Alex's Adventures in Skating Hist. 118 The corners of her lips twittered slightly as though the woman was trying to suppress a smile.

c. transitive. To cause (something) to tremble or move to and fro with a light rapid motion; to shake or flutter (something). Also: to twiddle or move about (the fingers or thumbs). Now somewhat rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle idly or restlessly > twiddle (the fingers)

twitter1830

1830 M. Edgeworth Let. 17 Nov. (1971) 429 The exaggerated reports..of the mobs and burnings in Kent may have reached you and may have twittered all your kind nerves.

1848 Sabbath School Ann. 168 It flew..to one after the other, twittering its wings.

1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. vii. 69 Mademoiselle..was twittering her fingers.

1873 Maritime Monthly 2 448 That notable dame solemnly twittered her cap-bows again.

1917 G. Kobbé All-of-a-sudden Carmen ii. 34 The baby..pursed up its little lips, screwed up its wee nose, twittered its eyelids, and began to cry.

2005 P. Simons Summer Garden (2006) 22 She twittered her thumbs.

3. intransitive. To laugh in a somewhat suppressed or restrained way; to titter, giggle, snigger. Cf. twitter n.³ 1b. Now somewhat rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > giggle

giggle1509

teehee1580

tittera1625

twitter1654

whickera1656

1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iii. ii. 71 They did Hog-grease his body, and smil'd and twitter'd at the bumps in his flesh, which was like a bruised Pig.

1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lii. 204 The Maidens began to snicker,..giggling and twittering among themselves.

1708 E. Arwaker Truth in Fiction i. xxxix. 56 The Muletier..twitter'd at the Sport... A Wolf, that saw him in this merry vain, Did of his own Misfortune thus complain.

1733 J. Bancks Poems on Several Occasions 174 The Beaux would laugh; The Ladies twitter; Nor could the Criticks then be bitter!

1838 Northern Liberator 15 Dec. He stood for a few seconds quite speechless..; began to twitter and laugh..; and then ran towards the Turkish Ambassador.

1901 ‘Zack’ Tales Dunstable Weir 11 Folks would have twittered louder had they known whose fancy he was like to take.

1996 N.Y. Times 16 Sept. d9/5 The rest of his young staff are almost all women younger than 25, who twitter nervously as he tells jokes.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

† twitterv.²

Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: twitter n.²

Etymology: < twitter n.² Compare earlier twittered adj.

Chiefly Scottish and English regional (northern). Obsolete.

transitive. To spin or twist (yarn or thread) too thinly or unevenly, so as to cause defects or entanglements. Cf. twitter n.² 1.In quot. 1692 in figurative context.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [verb (transitive)] > spin > unevenly

twitter1673

1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 50 To Twitter Thread or Yarn, is to Spin it uneven.

1692 S. Shaw Ποικιλοϕρόνησις 29 I think, Mr. Spruce, you was spun so fine, that you had like to have been twitter'd.

1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Twitter, to entangle, as thread which is too hard twisted.

1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. Twitter, to run up to a curled, twisted state, as thread after being knit, or when unevenly spun.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

twitterv.³

Brit.

/ˈtwɪtə/, U.S.

/ˈtwɪdər/

Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: twit v., -er suffix⁵.

Etymology: < twit v. + -er suffix⁵.

Now rare (chiefly regional in later use).

transitive. To reproach or upbraid (a person); to tease, to taunt. Cf. twit v. 1a.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > blame > [verb (transitive)]

accuseOE

witea1000

blamec1200

lastc1225

awreakc1275

friec1300

lack1340

impugn1377

aretc1386

default1489

remord1522

culpate1548

tax1548

finger-point1563

witen1589

attask1608

refounda1653

thank1667

bumble1675

to take to task1682

twitter1749

1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. vii. 195 It doth not become such a one as you to twitter me.

a1796 S. Pegge Two Coll. Derbicisms (1896) 78 Always twittering me about that.

1800 T. Browne Song in Poems 155 She..twitters me out of my life.

1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. 180 Twitter, to twit; to tease.

1957 Lowell (Mass.) Sunday Sun 31 Mar. 19/6 Bogie was always being drawn into brawls by people who twittered him about being a motion picture tough guy.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

twitterv.⁴

Brit.

/ˈtwɪtə/, U.S.

/ˈtwɪdər/

Forms: also with capital initial.

Origin: From a proper name. Etymon: proper name Twitter.

Etymology: < the proprietary name of the social networking service Twitter, punningly after twitter v.¹ and twitter n.³ Compare tweet v. 2, twittering n.²

1. intransitive. To post on the social networking service Twitter; to use Twitter.Tweet is the more common term; cf. tweet v. 2b.

ΚΠ

2006 @dom 1 Apr. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) Almost too drunk to twitter.

2008 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 14 Feb. e2/2 My husband wasn't home, but at least he had the decency to twitter that he was ‘meeting a bud for dinner. not sure why i am twittering’.

2015 Toronto Life Aug. 52/1 She'd been Twittering instead of doing what she was supposed to.

2. transitive. To post (a message, piece of information, etc.) on Twitter. Also: to post a message to (a particular person, organization, etc.).Tweet is the more common term; cf. tweet v. 2a.

ΚΠ

2006 @dom 5 Sept. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) Reading news on my Treo. Twitter me!

2007 Guardian 17 May (Technology section) 1/1 It has the potential to be the biggest waste of time in the world—by spending time Twittering your every action or reading about other people drinking their espresso.

2017 Marin (Calif.) Independent Jrnl. (Nexis) 5 Feb. 9 The president..is in the habit of twittering blatantly meretricious messages to the masses.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

n.¹1598

n.²1639

n.³1653

n.⁴1745

v.¹a1387

v.²1673

v.³1749

v.⁴2006

单词	twitter
释义	† twittern.¹ Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: twit v., -er suffix¹. Etymology: < twit v. + -er suffix¹. Obsolete. rare. A person who censures, reproaches, or upbraids someone; cf. twit v. 1. Also (English regional): a telltale; cf. twit v. 2. ΘΚΠ society > communication > information > rumour > [noun] > tale-bearer rounderOE blabc1374 tale-teller1377 clatterer1388 tittlerc1400 talebearer1478 whisterer1519 whisperer1547 telltale1548 tattler1549 clatterfart1552 tale-carrier1552 babbler?1555 gossip1566 gossiper1568 carry-tale1577 mumble-news1598 twitter1598 buzzer1604 blob-talea1670 gadabout1757 tell-pie1771 circulator1792 clype1825 windjammer1880 tattle-tale1889 panta1908 clatfarta1930 1598 J. Florio Worlde of Wordes Improueratore, an upbraider, a twitter. 1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Twitter, one that twits, one that throws something in the teeth of another. 1854 A. E. Baker Gloss. Northants. Words II. 365 ‘Don't tell him anything, he's a twitter.’ This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). twittern.² Brit. /ˈtwɪtə/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdər/, Scottish English /ˈtwɪtər/, Irish English /ˈtwɪtər/ Origin: Of unknown origin. Etymology: Origin unknown. Perhaps compare twine v.¹, twist v., twirl v.¹, in senses related to rotating motion, and fitters n., flitters n., fritter n.², in senses related to small fragments. Compare earlier twittered adj., and also later twit n.³ and twitter v.² 1. a. A thin part in an unevenly spun thread. Frequently in extended use and in similative expressions, denoting anything slender, feeble, or insubstantial. Chiefly English regional (northern), Scottish, and Irish English (northern) in later use.In quots. 1639, 1640 in phrases denoting a precarious or uncertain position; cf. to hang by a thread at thread n. 12. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > thread or yarn > [noun] > defect or irregularity in noba1398 twitter1639 twit1819 slub1825 snick1875 ballooning1904 1639 J. Clarke Paroemiologia 95 It goes on a twitter. 1640 R. Guy Merry Carelesse Lover (single sheet) It hangs upon a Twitter, Whether she hates or loves me deare. 1721 J. Kelly Compl. Coll. Scotish Prov. 395 You are as small as the Twitter of a twin'd Rusky, a Taunt to a Maid, that would gladly be esteem'd neat, and small. ?1765 Anc. Hist. Bucky-harbour i. 4 Her waist was like a twitter. 1825 J. Jamieson Etymol. Dict. Sc. Lang. Suppl. (at cited word) Yarn is said to be twined to twitters, when twined too small... It is said of a lank delicate girl; ‘She's a mere twitter’. a1869 C. Spence From Braes of Carse (1898) 181 The goodwife's yarn broke at the twitter. 1929 M. Mulcaghey Ballymulcaghey 25 Tam thought that he was no twitter of a musician himself. 1996 C. I. Macafee Conc. Ulster Dict. 368/2 Twitter, a thin place in unevenly-spun thread. †b. English regional (Yorkshire). An entanglement in yarn, thread, etc.; (figurative) a complication, a difficulty. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > order > disorder > confusion or disorder > entanglement or entangled state > [noun] > that which is entangled > a tangle node1572 knarl1598 snarl1609 rivel1625 ravel1634 snick-snarl1649 mare1688 harla1697 tangle1757 round turn1769 fankle1824 twist1858 twitter1876 taut1887 1876 F. K. Robinson Gloss. Words Whitby Twitters, entangled threads; complications of all sorts. 1928 A. E. Pease Dict. Dial. N. Riding Yorks. 145/1 Twitters, twisted entanglements and kinks of twine, thread, wool or the like. ‘Me wool's getten itsel inti syke twitters 'at it'll be a bonny job ti get it stryten'd oot.’ †2. Chiefly English regional (northern). A shred, a fragment. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > relative properties > wholeness > incompleteness > part of whole > [noun] > a separate part > a fragment shreddingc950 brucheOE shredc1000 brokec1160 truncheonc1330 scartha1340 screedc1350 bruisinga1382 morsel1381 shedc1400 stumpc1400 rag?a1425 brokalyc1440 brokeling1490 mammocka1529 brokelette1538 sheavec1558 shard1561 fragment1583 segment1586 brack1587 parcel1596 flaw1607 fraction1609 fracture1641 pash1651 frustillation1653 hoof1655 arrachement1656 jaga1658 shattering1658 discerption1685 scar1698 twitter1715 frust1765 smithereens1841 chitling1843 1715 ‘N. Ninnyhammer’ Homer in Nut-shell iii. 63 My lousy Blade flies into flitters, When I should cut this Dog to twitters. a1728 W. Kennett MS Coll. Provinc. Words (BL Lansdowne MS 1033) f. 408^v Twitters, pieces, as broke all in twitters. North. 1869 J. C. Atkinson Peacock's Gloss. Dial. Hundred of Lonsdale 89/2 Twitters, shreds, fragments. †3. Whaling. The membranous residue left after the removal of the spermaceti by hand from the case of a sperm whale. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > other animal raw materials > [noun] > material from sperm whale spermaceti1471 parmacety1545 head matter1747 slobgollion1851 head1874 twitter1891 1891 Cent. Dict. Twitter, the refuse or residuum of the case of the sperm-whale, a gummy and thready substance left when the case is squeezed. 1903 C. H. Stevenson Aquatic Products Arts & Industries 196 The oil flows freely between their fingers into the pots, while the refuse, called ‘twitter’, is thrown into another receptacle. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). twittern.³ Brit. /ˈtwɪtə/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdər/ Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: twitter v.¹ Etymology: < twitter v.¹ 1. a. A state of nervous excitement or agitation; a fluster. Frequently in in a twitter. In later use chiefly colloquial and regional. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > fear > apprehension > [noun] > state of trepidation flighta1535 trepidation1625 twitter1653 trepidity1721 twitteration1775 trepidancy1840 twit1891 swivet1892 flat spin1917 the mind > emotion > fear > physical symptoms of fear > [noun] > shudder or shuddering > state of tremulous agitation flighta1535 trepidation1625 twitter1653 trepidity1721 twitteration1775 the shakes1837 trepidancy1840 1653 S. Fisher Παιδοβαπτιζοντες Παιδιζοντες: Baby-baptism iii. 524 So doubtful is the sense of the Scribes that scraped it..bespeaking its patrons to be in a twitter, in a temper between Hawk and Buzzard. 1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. i. 6 The Ancient Errant Knights, Won all their Ladies Hearts, in Fights, And cut whole Gyants into fitters, To put them into amorous twitters. a1734 R. North Examen (1740) i. iii. §31 141 The Attorney-General..was in a Twitter; for some of his Friends told him he would certainly be questioned for it in Parliament. 1775 R. Cumberland Choleric Man iii. ii. 42 Now the duce fetch this madcap brother of mine, what a twitter has he thrown me into! 1802 G. Colman Poor Gentleman (new ed.) i. i. 5 If I ben't all of a twitter to see my old John Harrowby again! 1825 J. Neal Brother Jonathan II. 151 A leap of the heart..and a sort of tingling twitter through all his blood. 1925 C. P. Slater Marget Pow 208 The engine-driver in a fearfu' twitter for fear he would upset the royal train. 1966 R. S. Heinlein Moon is Harsh Mistress (1967) 133 We had Mort in a twitter; he was yelling for help. 2003 Times 15 Sept. 31/1 Even the vividly stressed O'Brien has never looked in quite such a twitter over a horse. b. Chiefly English regional and U.S. A fit of laughter; (in later use) esp. a titter, a giggle. Cf. twitter v.¹ 3.The precise sense in quot. 1700 is unclear, and may alternatively be interpreted as ‘a mocking jibe, a taunt’; cf. twit n.¹ 1a. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > [noun] > giggling or tittering > instance of tee-hee1593 gigglea1677 twitter1700 titter1725 1700 B. H. Fables Æsop xcviii. 96 Says a Fox to a Lioness, bantring in Mirth, ‘I wonder you have but one Son at a Birth’: Says the Lioness to Her, ‘pray cease from your Twitters’. 1736 J. Lewis Hist. Isle Tenet (ed. 2) 39 Twitter, a Fit of Laughter; he is in a mighty Twitter. 1845 H. C. Knight in My Early Home & Other Tales 8 He listens; a soft footfall here—a suppressed twitter there. 1949 Lawrence (Kansas) Jrnl.-World 24 June 4/4 The middle-aged women who greets every comment with an affected twitter, or giggle. 2005 Pittsburgh (Pa.) Tribune Rev. (Nexis) 23 Dec. But some scenes designed for laughs passed without a twitter. 2. A light, tremulous sound or call made by a bird; a chirrup, a warble (cf. twitter v.¹ 1a). Also: any light, tremulous sound likened to this. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [noun] > twitter or chirp chattera1250 twit1602 twitter1709 twit1769 chirrup1830 churr1837 tweet1837 chipper1844 chirp1850 chitter1869 1709 E. Ward Secret Hist. Clubs xix. 181 Our Musical Admirers of Cage-Harmony, who are charm'd so unaccountably with a little Twitter and Chearup, Entertain..any that will take Tickets. 1765 W. Stevenson Orig. Poems I. i. 26 Each bird..Warbles in well-known twitters all the while. 1842 R. Browning Waring in Bells & Pomegranates No. III: Dramatic Lyrics 11/1 As pours some pigeon..her melodious cry Amid their [sc. swallows'] barbarous twitter! 1849 W. S. Mayo Kaloolah (1850) v. 40 The hesitating twitter of the sleepy birds. 1871 Lippincott's Mag. Apr. 435/1 ‘Pipe down, sir,’ says this youngster to the boatswain; and then such a twitter of pipes followed this order. 1902 J. C. Snaith Wayfarers xvi The ceaseless twitter of the rain on the road. 2003 Houston Chron. (Nexis) 17 Jan. 3 The bird flutters skyward in a series of wide spirals, emitting a musical twitter. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † twittern.⁴ Origin: Either (i) a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Or (ii) formed within English, by clipping or shortening. Etymons: quittor n.; twitter-bone n. Etymology: Either (i) a variant (with assimilation of consonants) of quittor n., or (ii) short for twitter-bone n. Farriery. Obsolete. A purulent fistula at the coronet of a horse's foot; a quittor (quittor n. 3). Cf. twitter-bone n. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > animal disease or disorder > disorders of horses > [noun] > disorders of feet or hooves pains1440 mellitc1465 false quarter1523 gravelling?1523 founder1547 foundering1548 foot evil1562 crown scab1566 prick1566 quittor bone1566 moltlong1587 scratches1591 hoof-bound1598 corn1600 javar1600 frush1607 crepance1610 fretishing1610 seam1610 scratchets1611 kibe1639 tread1661 grease1674 gravel1675 twitter-bone1688 cleft1694 quittor1703 bleymes1725 crescent1725 hoof-binding1728 capelet1731 twitter1745 canker1753 grease-heels1753 sand-crack1753 thrush1753 greasing1756 bony hoof1765 seedy toe1829 side bone1840 cracked heel1850 mud fever1872 navicular1888 coronitis1890 toe-crack1891 flat-foot1894 1745 Daily Advertiser 6 May A black Mare..a little white on her near Foot behind, touch'd with the Grease, and hath a Crack down that Hoof by a Twitter. 1783 F. Clater Every Man his own Farrier 94 Vide Section of poll-evil, fistulas, and twitters. 1820 J. C. Knowlson Compl. Farrier 106 By this method most Twitters may be removed. 1892 Lincs. Notes & Queries Apr. 45 Twitter, a tumour or gathering on a horse's foot, just above the hoof. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019). twitterv.¹ Brit. /ˈtwɪtə/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdər/ Forms: Middle English twiter, Middle English twitr- (inflected form), Middle English twyter, 1600s– twitter, 1800s twither (English regional (Yorkshire)). Origin: Either (i) an imitative or expressive formation. Or perhaps (ii) a word inherited from Germanic. Etymology: Either (i) imitative, or perhaps (ii) cognate with Old High German zwizzirōn , zwizerōn (Middle High German zwitzern , German zwitzern , zwitschern ) < a West Germanic base of imitative origin. Compare Dutch kwetteren (1599) to warble, to chatter, and the Scandinavian forms cited at quitter v.² Compare quitter v.² and whitter v.In senses 2 and 3 perhaps showing influence from titter v.¹ and titter v.² respectively. 1. a. intransitive. Of a bird: to give a call consisting of repeated light tremulous sounds; to chirrup, to warble. Cf. twitter n.³ 2. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [verb (intransitive)] > chirp or twitter chirmOE chattera1250 janglea1300 jargon?a1366 chirkc1386 chirtc1386 chitterc1386 twittera1387 chirpc1440 yipc1440 channerc1480 quitter1513 chirrup1579 chipper1593 pip1598 gingreate1623 chita1639 sweet1677 shatter17.. swee-swee1839 weet-weet1845 cheet1855 tweet1856 twiddle1863 weet1866 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 237 Þe nyȝtyngale in his note Twytereþ wel fawnyng Wiþ full swete song. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. xii. xxxiii. 639 Þe male [sparrow] is ielous of his wyf and twiteriþ [emended in ed. to fiȝtiþ] ofte for here. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. met. ii. l. 1875 Þe Iangland brid..inclosed in a streit cage..twitriþ [?c1425 Cambr. Ii.3.21 twiterith] desirynge þe wode wiþ hir swete voys. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil Wks. 135 Swallows twitter on the Chimney Tops. View more context for this quotation 1730 J. Thomson Autumn in Seasons 164 They twitter chearful, till the vernant months Invite them welcome back. 1751 T. Gray Elegy v. 6 The swallow twitt'ring from the straw-built shed. 1841 C. Dickens Barnaby Rudge i. 230 Colonies of sparrows chirped and twittered in the eaves. 1860 ‘Little Jacob’ Colonial Pen-Scratchings 89 Robins twittering all about, robins with such vermilion breasts, and such black velvet feathers that one never sees in England. 1961 D. Hammett Man named Thin in Nightmare Town (1999) 335 Too busy listening to the little birdies twitter to hear me? 2004 Gloucester Citizen (Nexis) 27 Sept. 6 House martins..circle in the sky, and swoop, twittering, over the field. b. transitive. Of a bird: to produce (a note or song) by chirruping or warbling; to express or communicate (something) in this way. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > birds > sound or bird defined by > [verb (transitive)] > chirp or sing bechirma1250 twittera1387 chitter1393 chatterc1400 bechirp1600 chirp1614 chirrupa1657 gambola1657 tweet1851 jargon1894 a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 237 Þe osul twytereþ mery songes. a1657 G. Daniel Poems (1878) II. 70 The Squallid owle Twitters a midnight note. 1755 J. Hervey Theron & Aspasio I. iv. 133 The Goldfinches twitter their Loves, and display their painted Plumes. 1775 J. Wise Misc. of Poems 120 Yonder the solemnly-sweet-cooing dove: The swallow too merrily twittering love. 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 105 Linnets,..twittering their welcomes to the day's return. 1884 W. C. Smith Kildrostan i. iii. 14 The swifts and swallows..Twitter their gossip in the evening light. 1891 F. W. Farrar Darkness & Dawn II. xxxvii. 34 The very birds of the air seemed to flit away from him [sc. Nero], twittering ‘Matricide! matricide!’ 1931 Auk 48 488 During the day she flew off, twittering her complaint at my too near approach. 2003 Herald Express (Torquay) (Nexis) 16 May 9 Swallows trill and twitter a four-note cry. c. intransitive. Of a person: to talk in a rapid, tremulous voice; to chatter, to babble. Also: to sing in a manner likened to that of a bird (cf. sense 1a). ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > loquacity or talkativeness > be talkative [verb (intransitive)] > talk excessively or chatter chavel?c1225 babblea1250 chattera1250 clacka1250 janglea1300 ganglec1300 clapc1315 mumblec1350 blabberc1375 carp1377 tatterc1380 garre1382 rattlec1400 clatter1401 chimec1405 gabc1405 pattera1450 smattera1450 languetc1450 pratec1460 chat1483 jabber1499 clittera1529 cackle1530 prattle1532 blatter1533 blab1535 to run on pattens1546 tattle1547 prittle-prattlea1555 trattlea1555 tittle-tattle1556 quiddlea1566 brabble1570 clicket1570 twattle1573 gabble1574 prittle1583 to like to hear oneself speak, talk1597 to word it1612 deblaterate1623 tongue1624 twitter1630 snatter1647 oversay1656 whiffle1706 to gallop away1711 splutter1728 gob1770 gibble-gabble1775 palaver1781 to talk (etc.) nineteen to the dozen1785 gammon1789 witter1808 yabble1808 yaff1808 mag1810 chelp1820 tongue-pad1825 yatter1825 potter1826 chipper1829 jaw-jaw1831 buzz1832 to shoot off one's mouth1864 yawp1872 blate1878 chin1884 yap1888 spiel1894 to talk (also lie, swear, etc.) a blue streak1895 to run off at the mouth1908 chattermag1909 clatfart1913 to talk a streak1915 to run one's mouth1916 natter1942 ear-bash1944 rabbit1950 yack1950 yacker1961 to eat parrot head (also bottom)1965 yacket1969 to twat on1996 1630 P. Massinger Picture sig. B2^v How the mammet twitters! 1829 Countess Granville Let. 22 Nov. (1894) II. 49 They..are enchanted, twittering like hedge-sparrows. 1871 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues II. 35 While a man is singing and twittering and pouring music like water through the funnel of his ears, the edge of his soul gradually wears away. 1879 K. S. Macquoid Berkshire Lady 178 The old lady twittered and fluttered. 1934 J. Buchan Free Fishers vii. 107 The minister stood by twittering gently, while the housekeeper laid the youth on the sofa. 2005 Rev. Eng. Stud. 56 637 We sound like a bunch of Victorian theists twittering unhappily about the horrors into which Darwinian theory might plunge us. d. transitive. Of a person: to express or communicate (something) in a rapid, tremulous voice. Also: to sing (something) in a manner likened to that of a bird (cf. sense 1b). Also with away, out.Frequently with direct speech as object. ΘΚΠ the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > say in a lively manner rattle1402 pourc1451 to run off1680 twitter1689 perk1940 zing1975 1689 Ld. Delamere Late Ld. Russel's Case 12 Mr. Solicitor Finch twitter'd out two or three imperfect Precedents. 1774 Fugitive Misc. II. 41 All the entertainment which you can promise yourself in his company, is the songs that he gives you: these you must keep demanding, until he has twittered away all his stock. 1864 R. Browning Youth & Art iii I..trilled and twittered, ‘Kate Brown's on the boards ere long’. 1878 R. Browning Poets Croisic lxxi These [lines], brisk as any finch, He twittered. 1900 ‘S. Grand’ Babs xvii ‘Really, Mrs. Kingconstance,’ Miss Spice twittered excitedly, ‘you are too kind!’ 1948 C. Rice Big Midget Murders vii. 59 I would have sent for Mr. McJackson, he twittered, but I didn't know where to reach him. 2004 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 17 Apr. 18 ‘I'm so nervous,’ she twittered. ‘I feel good, I just don't know what to say between songs.’ †e. transitive. To bring (something) into a specified condition by making repeated light, tremulous sounds. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [verb (transitive)] > bring into a state by twittering twitter1860 1860 T. L. Peacock Gryll Grange xiv, in Fraser's Mag. June 768 The piano-forte is not much to my mind... Its incapability of sustaining a note has led..to those infinitesimal subdivisions of sound, in which all sentiment and expression are twittered and frittered into nothingness. 2. †a. intransitive. With after, at, or infinitive. To have a yearning desire or strong wish to do something; to yearn for something. Cf. twittering n.¹ 2a. Obsolete.Probably a figurative extension of sense 2b, although recorded slightly earlier. ΘΚΠ the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > longing or yearning > long or yearn [verb (intransitive)] thirstc893 forlongc1175 longc1225 alonga1393 greena1400 suspirec1450 earnc1460 to think long?1461 sigh1549 groanc1560 hank1589 twitter1616 linger1630 hanker1642 to hang a nose1655 hangc1672 yammer1705 yen1919 1616 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Scornful Ladie iv. sig. G3 When it twitterd to be at me. 1667 G. Bishop New Eng. Judged: 2nd Pt. 28 Your lips twittered after another draught of blood, and your stomachs rould, whilst your Janizaries forc't a Dinner of blood for you. 1673 J. Dryden Assignation i. 6 What's here? An humble Petition for a private Meeting? Are you twittering at that sport already, Mistriss Novice? a1688 J. Bunyan Israel's Hope Encouraged in Wks. (1692) 229/2 Doth not all this Discourse make thy Heart twitter after the Mercy that is with God? b. intransitive. To tremble or move to and fro with a light rapid motion; to shake, quiver, flutter; esp. to tremble with excitement, eagerness, fear, etc. Frequently regional and chiefly U.S. in later use.Earlier currency of this sense is probably implied by sense 2a. ΘΚΠ the world > movement > motion in specific manner > alternating or reciprocating motion > oscillation > vibration > vibrate [verb (intransitive)] > tremble or quiver shiverc1250 tremble1303 lillec1400 tryllec1400 quaver?a1439 didderc1440 dadderc1450 whitherc1450 bever1470 dindle1470 brawl1489 quiver1490 quitter1513 flichter1528 warble1549 palsy1582 quoba1586 twitter1629 dither1649 verberate1652 quibble1721 dandera1724 tremulate1749 vibrate1757 dingle1787 nidge1803 tirl1825 reel1847 shudder1849 tremor1921 1629 J. Gaule Distractions 206 Hands clap, Fingers twitter. 1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 50 Twitter, to tremble... My heart Twitters. 1684 T. Southerne Disappointment ii. i. 17 Her Eyes and Lips; see how they blubb and pout, and Twitter and swell at you! 1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 92 I twitter'd like a leaf. 1861 W. M. Thackeray Four Georges iv. 195 The bigness, boisterousness..of the young princes..appeared to have..set all the tea-cups twittering on the tray. 1878 R. L. Stevenson Inland Voy. 114 I was..twittering with cold. 1930 T. S. Eliot tr. ‘St.-J. Perse’ Anabasis 27 My heart twittered with joy. 1963 K. Vonnegut Cat's Cradle (1965) 114 Her eyes glazed over, and her long, bony fingers twittered idly over the noiseless keys. 2010 O. Jaffae Cammie & Alex's Adventures in Skating Hist. 118 The corners of her lips twittered slightly as though the woman was trying to suppress a smile. c. transitive. To cause (something) to tremble or move to and fro with a light rapid motion; to shake or flutter (something). Also: to twiddle or move about (the fingers or thumbs). Now somewhat rare. ΘΚΠ the world > physical sensation > touch and feeling > touching > touching with the hand > touch or feel with the hand [verb (transitive)] > touch or handle idly or restlessly > twiddle (the fingers) twitter1830 1830 M. Edgeworth Let. 17 Nov. (1971) 429 The exaggerated reports..of the mobs and burnings in Kent may have reached you and may have twittered all your kind nerves. 1848 Sabbath School Ann. 168 It flew..to one after the other, twittering its wings. 1853 W. M. Thackeray Newcomes (1854) I. vii. 69 Mademoiselle..was twittering her fingers. 1873 Maritime Monthly 2 448 That notable dame solemnly twittered her cap-bows again. 1917 G. Kobbé All-of-a-sudden Carmen ii. 34 The baby..pursed up its little lips, screwed up its wee nose, twittered its eyelids, and began to cry. 2005 P. Simons Summer Garden (2006) 22 She twittered her thumbs. 3. intransitive. To laugh in a somewhat suppressed or restrained way; to titter, giggle, snigger. Cf. twitter n.³ 1b. Now somewhat rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > types of laughter > laugh in specific manner [verb (intransitive)] > giggle giggle1509 teehee1580 tittera1625 twitter1654 whickera1656 1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iii. ii. 71 They did Hog-grease his body, and smil'd and twitter'd at the bumps in his flesh, which was like a bruised Pig. 1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. lii. 204 The Maidens began to snicker,..giggling and twittering among themselves. 1708 E. Arwaker Truth in Fiction i. xxxix. 56 The Muletier..twitter'd at the Sport... A Wolf, that saw him in this merry vain, Did of his own Misfortune thus complain. 1733 J. Bancks Poems on Several Occasions 174 The Beaux would laugh; The Ladies twitter; Nor could the Criticks then be bitter! 1838 Northern Liberator 15 Dec. He stood for a few seconds quite speechless..; began to twitter and laugh..; and then ran towards the Turkish Ambassador. 1901 ‘Zack’ Tales Dunstable Weir 11 Folks would have twittered louder had they known whose fancy he was like to take. 1996 N.Y. Times 16 Sept. d9/5 The rest of his young staff are almost all women younger than 25, who twitter nervously as he tells jokes. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). † twitterv.² Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: twitter n.² Etymology: < twitter n.² Compare earlier twittered adj. Chiefly Scottish and English regional (northern). Obsolete. transitive. To spin or twist (yarn or thread) too thinly or unevenly, so as to cause defects or entanglements. Cf. twitter n.² 1.In quot. 1692 in figurative context. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture of thread or yarn > [verb (transitive)] > spin > unevenly twitter1673 1673 J. Ray N. Countrey Words in Coll. Eng. Words 50 To Twitter Thread or Yarn, is to Spin it uneven. 1692 S. Shaw Ποικιλοϕρόνησις 29 I think, Mr. Spruce, you was spun so fine, that you had like to have been twitter'd. 1828 W. Carr Dial. Craven (ed. 2) Twitter, to entangle, as thread which is too hard twisted. 1876 C. C. Robinson Gloss. Words Dial. Mid-Yorks. Twitter, to run up to a curled, twisted state, as thread after being knit, or when unevenly spun. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). twitterv.³ Brit. /ˈtwɪtə/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdər/ Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: twit v., -er suffix⁵. Etymology: < twit v. + -er suffix⁵. Now rare (chiefly regional in later use). transitive. To reproach or upbraid (a person); to tease, to taunt. Cf. twit v. 1a. ΘΚΠ the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > blame > [verb (transitive)] accuseOE witea1000 blamec1200 lastc1225 awreakc1275 friec1300 lack1340 impugn1377 aretc1386 default1489 remord1522 culpate1548 tax1548 finger-point1563 witen1589 attask1608 refounda1653 thank1667 bumble1675 to take to task1682 twitter1749 1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. vii. 195 It doth not become such a one as you to twitter me. View more context for this quotation a1796 S. Pegge Two Coll. Derbicisms (1896) 78 Always twittering me about that. 1800 T. Browne Song in Poems 155 She..twitters me out of my life. 1887 W. D. Parish & W. F. Shaw Dict. Kentish Dial. 180 Twitter, to twit; to tease. 1957 Lowell (Mass.) Sunday Sun 31 Mar. 19/6 Bogie was always being drawn into brawls by people who twittered him about being a motion picture tough guy. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). twitterv.⁴ Brit. /ˈtwɪtə/, U.S. /ˈtwɪdər/ Forms: also with capital initial. Origin: From a proper name. Etymon: proper name Twitter. Etymology: < the proprietary name of the social networking service Twitter, punningly after twitter v.¹ and twitter n.³ Compare tweet v. 2, twittering n.² 1. intransitive. To post on the social networking service Twitter; to use Twitter.Tweet is the more common term; cf. tweet v. 2b. ΚΠ 2006 @dom 1 Apr. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) Almost too drunk to twitter. 2008 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 14 Feb. e2/2 My husband wasn't home, but at least he had the decency to twitter that he was ‘meeting a bud for dinner. not sure why i am twittering’. 2015 Toronto Life Aug. 52/1 She'd been Twittering instead of doing what she was supposed to. 2. transitive. To post (a message, piece of information, etc.) on Twitter. Also: to post a message to (a particular person, organization, etc.).Tweet is the more common term; cf. tweet v. 2a. ΚΠ 2006 @dom 5 Sept. in twitter.com (O.E.D. Archive) Reading news on my Treo. Twitter me! 2007 Guardian 17 May (Technology section) 1/1 It has the potential to be the biggest waste of time in the world—by spending time Twittering your every action or reading about other people drinking their espresso. 2017 Marin (Calif.) Independent Jrnl. (Nexis) 5 Feb. 9 The president..is in the habit of twittering blatantly meretricious messages to the masses. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2019; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < n.¹1598n.²1639n.³1653n.⁴1745v.¹a1387v.²1673v.³1749v.⁴2006
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