potter

¹

[ pot-er ]

noun

1. a person who makes pottery.

potter

²

[ pot-er ]

verb (used without object)

, Chiefly British.

1. putter ¹.

Potter

³

[ pot-er ]

noun

1. Be·a·trix [bee, -, uh, -triks], 1866–1943, English writer and illustrator of children's books.
2. Paul, 1625–54, Dutch painter.

Potter

¹

/ ˈpɒtə /

noun

1. Potter(Helen) Beatrix18661943FBritishWRITING: children's authorARTS AND CRAFTS: illustrator ( Helen ) Beatrix. 1866–1943, British author and illustrator of children's animal stories, such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit (1902)
2. PotterDennis (Christopher George)19351994MBritishTHEATRE: dramatist Dennis ( Christopher George ). 1935–94, British dramatist. His TV plays include Pennies from Heaven (1978), The Singing Detective (1986), and Blackeyes (1989)
3. PotterPaulus16251654MDutchARTS AND CRAFTS: painter Paulus. 1625–54, Dutch painter, esp of animals
4. PotterStephen19001970MBritishWRITING: humorous writerWRITING: critic Stephen. 1900–70, British humorist and critic. Among his best-known works are Gamesmanship (1947) and One-Upmanship (1952), on the art of achieving superiority over others

potter

²

/ ˈpɒtə /

verb

1. intr; often foll by about or around to busy oneself in a desultory though agreeable manner
2. intr; often foll by along or about to move with little energy or direction

   to potter about town

3. trusually foll byaway to waste (time)

   to potter the day away

noun

1. the act of pottering

potter

³

/ ˈpɒtə /

noun

1. a person who makes pottery

Derived Forms

• ˈpotterer, noun

Other Words From

• potter·er noun
• potter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of potter¹

before 1100; Middle English; late Old English pottere. See pot ¹, -er ¹

Origin of potter²

1520–30; frequentative of obsolete, dial. pote to push, poke, Middle English poten, Old English potian to push, thrust. See put, -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of potter¹

C16 (in the sense: to poke repeatedly): from Old English potian to thrust; see put

Example Sentences

She’s been a potter, a poet and a felonious con artist.

From Los Angeles Times

Alternatively, it might just be a personal DIY job they want assistance with, or just some company while they potter and chisel away.

From BBC

"Some people are festival veterans, they know exactly who they want to see all weekend, some people want to potter around and do all the kids' stuff," said festival founder, Rob Da Bank.

From BBC

This doesn’t mean she thinks the corporate types should follow the musicians and painters and potters back to the city’s core.

From Seattle Times

He would kick his potter’s wheel with his sandaled right foot and make his bright turquoise glaze from the ishkar plant, which grows in the nearby desert.

From New York Times

Related Words

• fidget
• fool
• interfere