clat·ter / ˈklatər/ • n. [in sing.] a continuous rattling sound as of hard objects falling or striking each other: the horse spun around with a clatter of hooves. ∎  noisy rapid talk.• v. make or cause to make a continuous rattling sound: [intr.] her coffee cup clattered in the saucer | [tr.] she clattered cups and saucers onto a tray. ∎  [intr.] fall or move with such a sound: the knife clattered to the floor.

clatter XIV. OE. *clatrian, implied in clatrung, corr. to (M)Du. klateren rattle, chatter, frequent. formation (see -ER 4) on imit. base *klat-.

Clatter

a scattered mass of loose stones; a confusion of voices. See also clutter.

Examples: clatter of grey rock, 1873; of stones; of tongues in empty heads, 1851.