v. i. [ OE. smateren to make a noise; cf. Sw. smattra to clatter, to crackle, G. schmettern to dash, crash, to warble, quaver. ]
Of state affairs you can not smatter. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. t.
n. Superficial knowledge; a smattering. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who has only a slight, superficial knowledge; a sciolist. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. A slight, superficial knowledge of something; sciolism. [ 1913 Webster ]
I had a great desire, not able to attain to a superficial skill in any, to have some smattering in all. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]