smattering
/ˈsmatərɪŋ
/(also smatter)
noun
1A slight superficial knowledge of a language or subject: Edward had only a smattering of Welsh...
- The entire trip, spanning a period of 118 days, enabled the couple to pick up a smattering of local languages wherever they went.
- That our small group seemed to be the only foreigners - with barely a smattering of the language between us - in a sea of Russians mattered not at all.
- With an aptitude for languages and a smattering of Italian, she'd chatter away to people, gradually getting the hang of the Liguarian dialect.
1.1A small amount of something: a smattering of snow...
- The songs are very reminiscent in parts of early Floyd, with smatterings of elements of Echoes and Animals thrown in for good measure.
- The clientele are older and wealthy with a few smatterings of known faces.
- It was fairly empty, with smatterings of people milling around.
Synonyms
bit, small amount, little, modicum, touch, soupçon;
superficial knowledge, nodding acquaintance, passing acquaintance, rudiments, elements, basics
informal smidgen, smidge, tad
Origin
Mid 16th century: from smatter 'talk ignorantly, prate' (surviving in Scots), of unknown origin.
Rhymes
- high kick
- high-kicker
- high-kicking
- high-kilted
- high king
- High Kirk
- highland
- Highland bagpipe
- Highland bonnet
- Highland Boundary Fault
- Highland cattle
- Highland clearances
- Highland dancing
- Highland dress
- highlander
- Highland fault
- Highland fling
- Highland Games
- Highland gathering
- Highland honors
- Highland honours
- Highlandish
- Highland kilt
- Highland line
- highlandman