Main Entry:

¹shat·ter

Pronunciation:

\ˈsha-tər\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English schateren — more at scatter

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1: to cause to drop or be dispersed2 a: to break at once into pieces b: to damage badly : ruin3: to cause the disruption or annihilation of : demolishintransitive verb1: to break apart : disintegrate2: to drop off parts (as leaves, petals, or fruit)

— shat·ter·ing·ly \-tə-riŋ-lē\ adverb