English

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Etymology

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From a reduplication of chatter. Compare chit-chat from chat; pitter-patter from patter; etc.

Noun

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chitter-chatter (countable and uncountable, plural chitter-chatters)

  1. Light and lively discussion.
  2. Talk about trivial or nonsensical matters; inconsequential or incessant conversation.
  3. (dialectal) The chattering of teeth due to trembling, shivering, etc.

Verb

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chitter-chatter (third-person singular simple present chitter-chatters, present participle chitter-chattering, simple past and past participle chitter-chattered)

  1. To talk trivially, nonsensically, or incessantly.