A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Tatter, -ar, n. [Late ME and e.m.E. tater (1402), tatter (Malory), ON *taturr, Icel. toturr.] A ragged piece of the fabric of a garment. Also fig. —c1500-c1512 Dunb. (OUP) 153/115 (see Tag n. 1).
Tatter —fig. 1633 Rutherford Christ's Napkin 10.
Our souls are all hinging in tattars, worn and old with sin
