What's the difference between atter and ratter?

Atter


Definition:

  • (n.) Poison; venom; corrupt matter from a sore.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) After 2 days of complete fasting in animals sacrificed 3 and 24 hours following introduction of the tagged vitamin the incorporation of the atter in the organs drastically decreased by comparison with controls.
  • (2) Atter 15 min virtually no thrombi or platelet aggregates could be detected.
  • (3) The exchange of a longer stretch of DNA leading to atteration of three amino acids of the protein compared with the original sequence of SK1 is required to obtain a temperature-sensitive DNA ligase in this strain, while in strain A364A a single amino acid change is sufficient for expression of a temperature-sensitive protein.
  • (4) Pointing out that they had been transparent about their workings, KPMG's Lewis Atter said it was a "reasonable, probably conservative approach".

Ratter


Definition:

  • (n.) One who, or that which, rats, as one who deserts his party.
  • (n.) Anything which catches rats; esp., a dog trained to catch rats; a rat terrier. See Terrier.

Example Sentences:

  • (1) I rather like Bryant – a "little wire-haired ratter", according to Daphne – who becomes increasingly bombastic as the book proceeds.