[f. CHATTER v. + -ING1.] The action expressed by the verb CHATTER (in its various senses).
a. 1250. Owl & Night., 560. Bute thu canst of chateringe.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. II. 84. Chateryng-oute-of-resoun.
1509. Barclay, Ship of Fooles (1570), 38. The Pye Betrayes her birdes by her chattering and crye.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 34. Murning & chatering of teith.
1589. Pappe w. Hatchet (1844), 39. Neuer trouble the church with chattering.
1703. Maundrell, Journ. Jerus. (1732), 27. Irreverent chattering of certain Prayers.
1809. Med. Jrnl., XXI. 212. Several rigors, and regular chattering of the teeth.
1880. Daily News, 20 April, 2/5. He had no knowledge of ironwork; but he knew sufficient to tighten the ‘chattering.’
b. attrib.
c. 1678. Roxb. Ball. (1882), IV. 358. He cut her Chattering-string, And he [quickly] set her Tongue on the run.
