Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Smattering \Smat"ter*ing\, n.
   A slight, superficial knowledge of something; sciolism.

         I had a great desire, not able to attain to a
         superficial skill in any, to have some smattering in
         all.                                     --Burton.

Source : WordNet®

smattering
     n 1: a small number or amount; "only a handful of responses were
          received" [syn: {handful}]
     2: a slight or superficial understanding of a subject