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Glite Dictionary
to clitter

to clitter

9.9
To make a sharp creaking or rattling sound by rubbing body parts together
  • verb
  • UK
translation icon : chirriar
  • At dusk, the crickets clitter loudly in the long grass.

Examples

  • Some beetles clitter their wings in warning when threatened by predators.

  • Some beetles clitter their wings in warning when threatened by predators.

  • The grasshoppers clittered throughout the night, filling the air with their distinctive noise.

  • The insects clitter loudly at night.

  • Did you hear the bugs clitter in the garden?

  • At dusk, the crickets clitter loudly in the long grass.

  • Did you hear the bugs clitter in the garden?

Synonyms

to clack
vsto clitter
5 7.2

To make short, sharp clicking sounds

is a shrill creaking rattling made by rubbing body parts rather than quick clicks
to stridulate
vsto clitter
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Make a high scraping sound by rubbing body parts together

is the less technical or dialectal name for that rubbed shrill sound
to chirk
vsto clitter
  • Archaic
9.9

To make a high sharp squeaking sound like a mouse or an old door

is specifically caused by rubbing body parts together rather than other causes
to chir
vsto clitter
9.3

To make a short high sound like a bird or insect

is a sharper, shriller creak produced by rubbing body parts not a trill

How Noisy

to clatter
29 3.9
to rattle
151 2.2
to clitter
  • UK
9.9
to creak
46 2.9
to chirp
34 1.0
to click
92 1.0
tick
34 2.0

Surface Forms

clitter infinitive
clittered past
clittered past participle
clitting present participle
clitters third person singular

Etymology

Clitter comes from copying the sound itself — it is like the words clatter and chitter. A helpful way to remember Clitter is 'to make a rattling or creaking sound', especially when insects rub parts of their bodies together.