pitapat
Americanadverb
noun
verb (used without object)
adverb
verb
noun
Etymology
Origin of pitapat
First recorded in 1515–25; imitative gradational compound
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Suddenly he fancied he heard feet outside going pitapat.
From Hans Andersen's Fairy Tales Second Series by Andersen, H. C. (Hans Christian)
"Three times and out," he whispered as the boys' hearts went pitapat.
From A Son of the City A Story of Boy Life by Seely, Herman Gastrell
And then she added, with a laugh, that he ought to be tied up, "for you are a cruel handsome man, Frank, and my heart goes pitapat at the very sight of you!"
From Love, the Fiddler by Osbourne, Lloyd
Just as she was ready to open, she heard the pitapat of little Nanna's steps on the bridge from the bank.
From Mary by Bjørnson, Bjørnstjerne
And their hearts go pitapat When they hear the soldiers come With a r-r-rat-tat-tat And a tum-titty-um-tum-tum!
From Love-Songs of Childhood by Field, Eugene
Pitt's panthers pitapatted round Nebraska; the line poked holes, Fullback Parkinson plunged twice for touchdowns.
From Time Magazine Archive
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
