[f. as prec. + -ING2.] That titters; giggling, laughing with suppressed mirth; characterized by such laughter.
1748. Smollett, Rod. Rand., lv. A whisper circulated at our expence … accompanied with many … tittering observations.
1802. Mar. Edgeworth, Moral T. (1816), I. viii. 62. Young tittering ladies.
1879. Sala, Paris herself again (1880), II. xxiii. 338. A group of tattling and tittering … sight-seers.
Hence Titteringly adv.
1831. Examiner, 355/1. ‘The naughty man,’ as he will be titteringly styled.
1892. G. Hake, Mem. 80 Years, xxvii. 86. They had to smile titteringly as well as to listen.
Tittering vbl. sb.2 and ppl. a.2: see TITTER v.2
