tatter

UK: /ˈtætə/ US: /ˈtætɚ/ ,(tat′ər)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

tat•ter¹ /ˈtætɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a flag;
   a shred.
2. tatters, [plural] torn or ragged clothing:
   dressed in tatters.

v. [~ + object]

3. to tear or wear to tatters:
   Their clothes were tattered.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

tat•ter¹  (tat′ər), n. 

1. a torn piece hanging loose from the main part, as of a garment or flag.
2. a separate torn piece;
   shred.
3. tatters, torn or ragged clothing:
   dressed in rags and tatters.

v.t. 

4. to tear or wear to tatters.

v.i. 

5. to become ragged.

• Old Norse tǫturr rag, tatter; akin to Old English tætteca rag, shred; (verb, verbal) back formation from tattered
• (noun, nominal) late Middle English 1375–1425

tat•ter²  (tat′ər), n. 

1. Clothing a person who does tatting, esp. as an occupation.

• tat + -er¹ 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tatter / ˈtætə/ verb

1. to make or become ragged or worn to shreds

noun

1. (plural) torn or ragged pieces, esp of material

Etymology: 14th Century: of Scandinavian origin; compare Icelandic töturr rag, Old English tættec, Old High German zæter rag