Smattering

  • 1Smattering — Smat ter*ing, 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] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2smattering — [n] small amount basics, bit, elements, little, modicum, rudiments, smidge*, smidgen*, soupçon, tad*; concept 831 …

    New thesaurus

  • 3smattering — (also smatter) ► NOUN 1) a small amount. 2) a slight knowledge of a language or subject. ORIGIN from smatter «talk ignorantly» (now only Scots), of unknown origin …

    English terms dictionary

  • 4smattering — [smat′əriŋ] n. [ SMATTER + ING] 1. slight or superficial knowledge 2. a small number …

    English World dictionary

  • 5smattering — n. to acquire, pick up a smattering of (they have picked up a smattering of the language) * * * [ smæt(ə)rɪŋ] pick up a smattering of (they have picked up a smattering of the language) to acquire …

    Combinatory dictionary

  • 6smattering — smat|ter|ing [ˈsmætərıŋ] n [singular] [Date: 1500 1600; Origin: smatter to splash, talk with little knowledge (15 19 centuries)] 1.) a small number or amount of something smattering of ▪ a smattering of applause 2.) have a smattering of sth to… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 7smattering — noun Date: 1538 1. superficial piecemeal knowledge < a smattering of carpentry, house painting, bricklaying Alva Johnston > 2. a small scattered number or amount < a smattering of spectators > …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 8smattering — noun /ˈsmæ.tə(ɹ).ɪŋ,ˈsmæɾɹ̩ɪŋ/ a) A superficial or shallow knowledge of a subject. She knows a smattering of Greek, but not enough to carry on a conversation. b) A small number or amount of something …

    Wiktionary

  • 9smattering — Synonyms and related words: a little learning, amateurism, cast, coquetry, dabbling, dalliance, dallying, dash, dilettantism, dilettantship, few, fiddling, flirtation, fooling, fooling around, gleam, glimmering, glimpse, half learning, handful,&#8230; …

    Moby Thesaurus

  • 10smattering — [[t]smæ̱tərɪŋ[/t]] N SING: usu a N of n A smattering of something is a very small amount of it. I had acquired a pretty competent knowledge of Latin and a smattering of Greek grammar. Syn: modicum …

    English dictionary