| 释义 |
smat·ter
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 > |