chitter
chitter · chitters · chittered · chittering
To make a series of high-pitched soundsTo make a series of high-pitched sounds; to twitter, chirp or chatter.
/ˈtʃɪtə/
Meaning
2 sensesTo make a series of high-pitched sounds; to twitter, chirp or chatter.
It was a beautifully sunny day and beetles could be heard chittering loudly in the rose garden by the side of the path made out of antique bricks.
make high-pitched sounds, as of birds
(Scotland, obsolete)To shiver or chatter with cold.
Origin
From Middle English chiteren, chitren, cheteren. Ultimately onomatopoeic; compare didder aFrom Middle English chiteren, chitren, cheteren. Ultimately onomatopoeic; compare didder and teeter as well as German zittern.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
chitters, chittering, chittered, chittered| Base form | chitter · to chitter |
|---|---|
| 3rd person singular | chitters |
| Present participle | chittering |
| Past simple | chittered |
| Past participle | chittered |
irregular
Synonyms
1 synonymsClose in meaning
- make high-pitched sounds, as of birds:twitter
Word family
1 related wordsDerivedchitter-chatter
Lessons for this word
3 lessons- A1Present simple — Because it is a verb
- A1Past simple, regular verbs — Because of its past form
- A2Present perfect: introduction — Because of its past participle