patter

1
[ pat-er ]
See synonyms for patter on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object)
  1. to make a rapid succession of light taps: Raindrops patter on the windowpane.

  2. to move or walk lightly or quickly: The child pattered across the room.

verb (used with object)
  1. to cause to patter.

  2. to spatter with something.

noun
  1. a rapid succession of light tapping sounds: the steady patter of rain on the tin roof.

  2. the act of pattering.

Origin of patter

1
First recorded in 1605–15; pat1 + -er6

Other words for patter

Other definitions for patter (2 of 3)

patter2
[ pat-er ]

noun
  1. meaningless, rapid talk; mere chatter; gabble.

  2. the usually glib and rapid speech or talk used by a magician while performing, a barker at a circus or sideshow, a comedian or other entertainer, a vendor of questionable wares, or the like; stylized or rehearsed talk used to attract attention, entertain, etc.

  1. amusing lines delivered rapidly by an entertainer or performer, as in a comic routine or in a song.

  2. the jargon or cant of any class, group, etc.

verb (used without object)
  1. to talk glibly or rapidly, especially with little regard to meaning; chatter.

  2. to repeat a paternoster or other prayer in a rapid, mechanical way.

verb (used with object)
  1. to recite or repeat (prayers, verses, etc.) in a rapid, mechanical way.

  2. to repeat or say rapidly or glibly.

Origin of patter

2
First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English pateren “to say the paternoster, pray quickly and mechanically”; see pater

Other words from patter

  • pat·ter·er, pat·er·ist, noun

Other definitions for patter (3 of 3)

patter3
[ pat-er ]

noun
  1. a person or thing that pats.

Origin of patter

3

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use patter in a sentence

  • A flock of weary sheep pattered along the road, barnward bound, heavy eyed and bleating softly.

  • Her last words floated back from the depths of the corridor; a clock was striking and she had pattered off hastily.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • The little faces shone like polished bronze; they held their hands out, their bare feet pattered in the sand.

    The Wave | Algernon Blackwood
  • The rain came down thick and fast, and pattered noisily among the leafless bushes.

  • It dripped and pattered off the skin-covering on to the boat and on to the rocks.

    Left on Labrador | Charles Asbury Stephens

British Dictionary definitions for patter (1 of 2)

patter1

/ (ˈpætə) /


verb
  1. (intr) to walk or move with quick soft steps

  2. to strike with or make a quick succession of light tapping sounds

  1. (tr) rare to cause to patter

noun
  1. a quick succession of light tapping sounds, as of feet: the patter of mice

Origin of patter

1
C17: from pat 1

British Dictionary definitions for patter (2 of 2)

patter2

/ (ˈpætə) /


noun
  1. the glib rapid speech of comedians, salesmen, etc

  2. quick idle talk; chatter

  1. the jargon of a particular group; lingo

verb
  1. (intr) to speak glibly and rapidly

  2. to repeat (prayers) in a mechanical or perfunctory manner

Origin of patter

2
C14: from Latin pater in Pater Noster Our Father

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012