smattering
(noun) a slight or superficial understanding of a subject
handful, smattering
(noun) a small number or amount; “only a handful of responses were received”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
smattering (countable and uncountable, plural smatterings)
A superficial or shallow knowledge of a subject.
A small number or amount of something.
• (small amount): see also modicum.
smattering
present participle of smatter
• matterings, metastring, ramsetting, termigants
Source: Wiktionary
Smat"ter*ing, n.
Definition: A slight, superficial knowledge of something; sciolism. I had a great desire, not able to attain to a superficial skill in any, to have some smattering in all. Burton.
Smat"ter, v. i. Etym: [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. Swift.
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.
Definition: Superficial knowledge; a smattering.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
12 January 2025
(noun) (psychology) an automatic pattern of behavior in reaction to a specific situation; may be inherited or acquired through frequent repetition; “owls have nocturnal habits”; “she had a habit twirling the ends of her hair”; “long use had hardened him to it”
The first coffee-house in Mecca dates back to the 1510s. The beverage was in Turkey by the 1530s. It appeared in Europe circa 1515-1519 and was introduced to England by 1650. By 1675 the country had more than 3,000 coffee houses, and coffee had replaced beer as a breakfast drink.
