Also 6–7 blotter. [In sense 1, ad. L. blaterāre to talk idly, babble, prate, perhaps partly through F. blatérer. But the use of the word is probably largely influenced by its phonetic suggestiveness of forcible and repeated noise: cf. batter, chatter, clatter, patter, and bl- words expressing impetus, like blow, blash, blast.]
1. intr. To speak or prate volubly. (Also with it.)
a. 1555. Latimer, Serm. & Rem. (1845), 358. Procuring also certain preachers to blatter against me.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 224. Boyes and girles can blatter it against Christes presence in the sacrament.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 193. If peradventure it [the tongue] … will blatter out and not tarrie within, we might bite it.
1656. Cromwell, Lett. & Sp. (Carl.), Sp., 17 Sept. It is to be clamoured at, and blottered at.
1865. Pusey, Eiren., 375. They blatter … that the Church forms new dogmas at will.
b. trans. Often with out, abroad.
1556. Abp. Parker, Psalter xciv. 294. They blatter out euen what they list.
1590. C. S., Right Relig., 16. Hee blottereth out his owne traditions.
1615. Chapman, Odyss., Ep. Ded. 51. What the brazen head Blatters abroad.
1645. G. Daniel, Poems, Wks. II. 101. Noe matter tho’ Ignorance blatter Follie.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-Cr., II. ii. 21. Be not rash with thy Mouth, to blatter out any thing before God.
2. intr. To hurry or rush with clattering noise. (Sc.)
1790. A. Wilson, To W. Mitchell, Poet. Wks. (1846), 113. Down the brae, It blatter’t wi’ a blash I’ the burn that day.
1840. Hogg, Tales & Sk., VI. 53. Maxwell’s feet blattered down the lowest stair.
1862. J. Brown, Horæ Subsec., Ser. III. (1882), 202. The snow blattered in his face.
