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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Clatter, Clattir, v. Also: clater, clattre. [ME. clater, clatre(n, claterin (a 1225), OE. *clatrian (clatrung vbl. n.), MDu. klateren, etc.]

1. intr. To make a loud rattling sound. 1513 Doug. vii. xi. 107.
Na brycht armyng Mycht thou heir sovnd, … Or cartis clattir Ib. ix. xi. 17; etc.
Quhill clowdis clattris, and all the lyft ourcastis 1567 G. Ball. 194.
The lawit folk trowis the heuin will clatter, Thay sing with sic deuotioun a1578 Pitsc. I. 282/3.
Quhen Mr Gawin … persaiffit the plaittis of his jake clattering Ib. 6.
I persaue … ȝour conscience be not goode, for I heir thame clatter 16.. Hist. Kennedy 28.
He … forbad him to tak that manis rowme our his heid, or ellis he suld gar all his harnis clattir 1622 Glasgow Weavers 68.
He had gart him play clatter on the cassie lyk ane auld pige

2. To talk loudly and rapidly; to talk idly, to chatter, gossip. Also of birds. c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 116.
Thae tarmegantis, with tag and tatter, Full lowd in Ersche begowth to clatter 1549 Compl. 39/23.
The tuechitis cryit theuisnek, quhen the piettis clatterit a1570-86 Clapperton Maitl. F. lxxix. 31.
All nicht I clatter vpoin my creid, Prayand to God gif I wer deid 1580-92 James VI Lusus R. 25.
As cranis & kaes will clattir quhen thay play 1604 Elgin Rec. II. 122.
Jhone Cogiell foir clatering on the Sabbothe daye was poyndit 1652 Lindores Abbey 211.
Who sall be deprehended taking sneizing, clatering, … or playing at the bowlls, … upon the sabbath 1655 Blairs P. 172.
You will not see any heer go visit woemen and spend ane whole efter denner clattering with ther penytents

3. tr. To utter loudly. c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 90.
A waistit wolroun, na worth bot wourdis to clatter Ib. lvii. 10.
Sum playis the fule, and all out clattiris