atter

noun

at·​ter
ˈatər
plural -s
chiefly Scottish
: corrupt matter from a sore

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English ātor; akin to Old High German eitar poison, Old Saxon ettar, Old Norse eitr, Old High German eiz pustule, boil, Greek oidos swelling, tumor, Old Slavic jadŭ poison, and perhaps to Sanskrit indra- strong, and perhaps to Old English āte oat

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Cite this Entry

“Atter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atter. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024.

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