v. clat·tered, clat·ter·ing, clat·ters v.intr. 1. To make a rattling sound. 2. To move with a rattling sound: clattering along on roller skates. 3. To talk rapidly and noisily; chatter. v.tr. To cause to make a rattling sound. n. 1. A rattling sound: the clatter of dishes in the kitchen. 2. A loud disturbance; a racket: the clatter of the subway train. 3. Noisy talk; chatter. [Middle English clateren, from Old English *clatrian; see gal- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] clatter·er n. clatter·y adj. |
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