tatter
tatter Lexical Profile
tatter Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An irregularly torn piece or shred of cloth, paper, or other material, especially one hanging loosely (usually used in the plural).
"The old sail was reduced to mere tatters after the fierce gale."
A state of ruin, destruction, or complete disorder (used in the plural, especially in the phrase 'in tatters').
"After the scandal broke, the politician's career and reputation lay in tatters."
• verb
To tear or wear into rags or shreds, or to become ragged and worn.
"Months of harsh mountain winds had begun to tatter the expedition's tents."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a noun, 'tatter' is almost always used in the plural form ('tatters'), especially in the idiom 'in tatters', which can refer literally to torn cloth or figuratively to ruined plans, reputations, or relationships.
• Rhymes for tatter
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'tater', borrowed from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse 'töturr' or 'tötrar' ('rags, tatters'), sharing ultimate Germanic roots with Old English 'tætteca' ('rag').