Tatter
/ˈtæt.ər/noun
A torn piece of cloth or a ragged shred.
Did you know?The word is linked to a Germanic root behind the idea of tearing or cutting, which is why English also has the related verb *tear* in the same ancient family.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*tatrō / *tatr-
“a shred, rag, or torn piece”
Old English
OE
tætte
“a rag or shred of cloth”
Middle English
ME
tater / tatter
“a rag, shred, or torn fragment”
15th Century
English
tatter
“a scrap or shred of cloth, especially a torn one”
Modern English
English
tatter
“a torn piece of cloth; a ragged shred”