Chatter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Chattered; p. pr. & vb. n. Chattering.]
Etymology: [Of imitative origin. Cf. Chat, v. i. Chitter.]
1. To utter sounds which somewhat resemble language, but are inarticulate and indistinct. The jaw makes answer, as the magpie chatters. Wordsworth.
2. To talk idly, carelessly, or with undue rapidity; to jabber; to prate. To tame a shrew, and charm her chattering tongue. Shak.
3. To make a noise by rapid collisions. With chattering teeth, and bristling hair upright. Dryden.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Chatter, v. t.
To utter rapidly, idly, or indistinctly. Begin his witless note apace to chatter. Spenser.
Chatter, n.
1. Sounds like those of a magpie or monkey; idle talk; rapid, thoughtless talk; jabber; prattle. Your words are but idle and empty chatter. Longfellow.
2. Noise made by collision of the teeth, as in shivering.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for chatter; he lists it under babble, speak.
Where he writes about it:
The cackle of a hen, the gabble of a goose, the chatter of a magpie, the babble of a running stream, as applied to human speech, indicate a rapid succession of what are to the listener meaningless sounds. — from babble
To chat is ordinarily to utter in a familiar, conversational way; to chatter is to talk in an empty, ceaseless way like a magpie. — from speak