Smat"ter (?), 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.

Of state affairs you can not smatter.

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

Smat"ter, v. t. 1. To talk superficially about.

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

Smat"ter, n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering.

Smat"ter (?), 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.

Of state affairs you can not smatter.

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

Smat"ter, v. t. 1. To talk superficially about.

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

Smat"ter, n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering.

• (intransitive) To talk superficially; to babble.
  
• (transitive) To speak (a language) with spotty or superficial knowledge; as, to smatter Arabic.
  
• (transitive) (fig) To study or approach superficially; to dabble in.