clatter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)
    • the shutters clattered against the house
    • the clatter of iron wheels on cobblestones
  2. verb make a rattling sound
    brattle; clack.
    • clattering dishes

WordNet

Clat"ter intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. clarung a rattle, akin to D. klateren to rattle. Cf. Clack.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Clattered ; present participle & verbal noun Clattering
Definitions
  1. To make a rattling sound by striking hard bodies together; to make a succession of abrupt, rattling sounds.
    Clattering loud with clamk. Longfellow.
  2. To talk fast and noisily; to rattle with the tongue.
    I see thou dost but clatter. Spenser.
Clat"ter transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make a rattling noise with.
    You clatter still your brazen kettle. Swift.
Clat"ter noun
Definitions
  1. A rattling noise, esp. that made by the collision of hard bodies; also, any loud, abrupt sound; a repetition of abrupt sounds.
    The goose let fall a golden egg With cackle and with clatter. Tennyson.
  2. Commotion; disturbance. "Those mighty feats which made such a clatter in story." Barrow.
  3. Rapid, noisy talk; babble; chatter. "Hold still thy clatter." Towneley Myst. (15 th Cent. ).
    Throw by your clatter And handle the matter. B. Jonson

Webster 1913