attern en · ADJ
Etymology
From Middle English attern, from Old English ǣtren (“poisoned, poisonous, venomous”), from Proto-West Germanic *aittrīn (“poisonous”). Equivalent to atter + -en.
Meanings
- (UK, dialectal) Venomous; poisonous.
- (UK, dialectal, of people) Cruel; fierce; ill-natured.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most attern | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more attern | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |