Main Entry: ¹ban·ter

Pronunciation: \ˈban-tər\

Function: verb

Etymology: origin unknown

Date: 1676

transitive verb 1 : to speak to or address in a witty and teasing manner
2 archaic : delude
3 chiefly Southern & Midland : challengeintransitive verb : to speak or act playfully or wittily

— ban·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

— ban·ter·ing·ly \ˈban-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb