v. i. [ OE. smateren to make a noise; cf. Sw. smattra to clatter, to crackle, G. schmettern to dash, crash, to warble, quaver. ] 1. To talk superficially or ignorantly; to babble; to chatter. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of state affairs you can not smatter. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To have a slight taste, or a slight, superficial knowledge, of anything; to smack. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To talk superficially about. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To gain a slight taste of; to acquire a slight, superficial knowledge of; to smack. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who has only a slight, superficial knowledge; a sciolist. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A slight, superficial knowledge of something; sciolism. [ 1913 Webster ]

I had a great desire, not able to attain to a superficial skill in any, to have some smattering in all. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]