patter

¹ American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to make a rapid succession of light taps.

   Raindrops patter on the windowpane.

   Synonyms:

   pelt, rap, beat, pat

2. to move or walk lightly or quickly.

   The child pattered across the room.

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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.

patter ² American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

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.

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

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

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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.

patter ³ American  

[pat-er] / ˈpæt ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that pats. pat.

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patter ¹ British  

/ ˈpætə /

noun

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

2. quick idle talk; chatter

3. the jargon of a particular group; lingo

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verb

1. (intr) to speak glibly and rapidly

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

patter ² British  

/ 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

3. rare (tr) to cause to patter

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noun

1. a quick succession of light tapping sounds, as of feet

   the patter of mice

Other Word Forms

• paterist noun
• patterer noun

Etymology

Origin of patter¹

First recorded in 1605–15; pat ¹ + -er ⁶

Origin of patter²

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

Origin of patter³

pat ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

I started to nod in agreement, but then I heard strange noises, a pattering, like rain, and also a distant squeaking, like a flock of birds taking flight.

From Literature

The evening is lightly dappled with personal or informative patter.

From The Wall Street Journal

Because how do I explain the early-morning birdsong, the patter of rain against the roof, the way all of us spend our days together, working toward the same goals?

From Literature

She could hear it, the patter of footsteps, many running restlessly along the floors beneath her.

From Literature

Dorenkamp said it all clicked when he found his “filler word,” a tool auctioneers use to maintain their rhythm and smooth out their patter when bidding slows down.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chatter
• monologue
• spiel