patter

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A soft repeated sound, as of rain falling, or feet walking on a hard surface.

   • I could hear the patter of mice running about in the dark.
   • The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.
2. 2

   To make irregularly repeated sounds of low-to-moderate magnitude and lower-than-average…

   To make irregularly repeated sounds of low-to-moderate magnitude and lower-than-average pitch.

   • The bullets pattered into the log-cabin walls.
   • The stealing shower […] 'Tis scarce to patter heard.
3. 3

   To spatter

   To spatter; to sprinkle.

   • 1819 (published in 1835) Joseph Rodman Drake, The Culprit Fay Patter the water about the boat.
4. ›+ 6 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Glib and rapid speech, such as from an auctioneer, a sports commentator, or a salesperson…

      Glib and rapid speech, such as from an auctioneer, a sports commentator, or a salesperson with a slick style of selling.

      • sales patter
      • This particularly rapid, unintelligible patter isn't generally heard, and if it is it doesn't matter.
      • Dad, I want to be a jock. All a jock needs is some hep patter and a real gone image. Now, they just don't teach that jazz in college.
   2. 5

      To speak glibly and rapidly, as does an auctioneer or a sports commentator.

      • He showed a little of the pride of art in describing the management of his business, but he would not hear that he “pattered:” he talked to his customers, he declared, as any draper, who knew his business well, might talk to his.
   3. 6

      To repeat the Lord's Prayer.

   4. 7

      To pray.

   5. 8

      To repeat hurriedly

      To repeat hurriedly; to mutter.

   6. 9

      One who pats.

      • I used to hate head patters, and I have realized that all children dislike being patted on the head.

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