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

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near atter

Cite this Entry

“Atter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/atter. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!