▪ I. whitter, n.1 Sc.
(ˈhwɪtə(r))
Also 6–7 qu(h)-, -our.
[Imitative.]
a. A talkative person, a chatterer. b. Chatter, ‘loquacity, prattle’ (Jam.). So whitter-whatter in same senses.
| a 1585 Montgomerie Flyting 767 Rank ruittour, scurli⁓quitour [v. rr. scurlie whittour, scurliquhittor], and Iuittour. 1805 A. Scott Poems 47 What need we heed sic whitter-whatter? 1825 Jamieson s.v., A woman who is very garrulous is said to be ‘a perfect whitter-whatter’. 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws Marches iii, I would counsel you..to haud your whitter the night. |
▪ II. whitter, n.2 Sc.
[Cf. whittle v.1]
A draught of liquor, a drink.
| 1785 Burns 1st Ep. J. L*****k xix, We'll sit down an' tak our whitter, To chear our heart. |
▪ III. ˈwhitter, v. Sc.
[Later form of quitter v.2]
1. intr. To warble, twitter. Sc.
| 1513 [see quitter v.2]. c 1800 Elfer Hill 24 in R. Jamieson Pop. Ball. (1806) I. 226 The sma' fowls in the shaw began To whitter in the dale. |
2. To move lightly and briskly; to quiver, flutter, scamper, etc. Sc.
| 1513 [see quitter v.2]. 1819 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd (1827) 7 The dows and daws..Out-whirr'd and whitter't. 1894 F. A. Steel Potter's Thumb xiii, A ‘whittering’ beast..‘Whitter! Whitter!’ under the bed; behind the boxes. That was the worst of a musk-rat; no one could possibly tell where it would ‘whitter’ next. |
▪ IV. whitter
var. quitter n.1 (sense 2).
| 1833 Sir C. Bell Hand (1834) 296 Sandcracks, whitters, inflammations, and other diseases of the horse's foot. |
▪ V. whitter
var. of witter v.2