SMATTERING

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does smattering mean? 

• SMATTERING (noun)
  The noun SMATTERING has 2 senses:

1. a small number or amount

2. a slight or superficial understanding of a subject

  Familiarity information: SMATTERING used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SMATTERING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small number or amount

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

handful; smattering

Context example:

only a handful of responses were received

Hypernyms ("smattering" is a kind of...):

small indefinite amount; small indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A slight or superficial understanding of a subject

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("smattering" is a kind of...):

apprehension; discernment; savvy; understanding (the cognitive condition of someone who understands)

Derivation:

smatter (speak with spotty or superficial knowledge)

 Context examples 

I found my smattering of German very useful here; indeed, I don't know how I should be able to get on without it.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

That my smattering of knowledge should enable me to short-cut my way to truth is most reassuring.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

There were several of his priests and lawyers present (as I conjectured by their habits), who were commanded to address themselves to me; and I spoke to them in as many languages as I had the least smattering of, which were High and Low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Lingua Franca, but all to no purpose.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

The sum of his discourse was to this effect: That about forty years ago, certain persons went up to Laputa, either upon business or diversion, and, after five months continuance, came back with a very little smattering in mathematics, but full of volatile spirits acquired in that airy region: that these persons, upon their return, began to dislike the management of every thing below, and fell into schemes of putting all arts, sciences, languages, and mechanics, upon a new foot.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)