forming frequentative vbs. The vbs. of this formation which can be traced in OE. have the form -rian (:—OTeut. -rôjan); e.g., clatrian CLATTER, flotorian FLUTTER. The other Teut. langs. have many vbs. of this type, denoting repeated action; often they are f. verbal bases, as MHG. wanderen = OE. wandrian WANDER, f. OTeut. *wandjan WEND, ON. vafra WAVER, f. vafa = WAVE v.; sometimes app. on onomatopæic bases, as OHG. zwizarôn = TWITTER. Further examples in Eng. are batter, chatter, clamber, flicker, glitter, mutter, patter, quaver, shimmer, shudder, slumber.
