tatter

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tatter (chiefly pl.) irregularly torn piece. First recorded in tatarwagges (c.1400), but implied in earlier tattered orig. †clothed in slashed garments, tatering slashing of garments (XIV). — ON. *taturr (Icel. töturr, Norw. dial. totra), pl. tǫtrar rags, rel. to OE. tættec rag, and prob. further to OHG. zæter rag.