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)
It was when the comandante, Don Señor el Coronel Encarnacion Rios, looked upon the little saint seated in the shop and felt his heart go pitapat.
From Cabbages and Kings by Henry, O.
Roll -- N. roll &c. v.; drumming &c. v.; berloque†, bombination†, rumbling; tattoo, drumroll; dingdong; tantara†; rataplan†; whirr; ratatat, ratatat-tat; rubadub; pitapat; quaver, clutter, charivari†, racket; cuckoo; repetition &c.
From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Roget, Peter Mark
And though Widow Precious felt her heart go pitapat at first sight of another Mrs. Mordacks, she made up her mind, with a gulp, not to let this cash go to the Thornwick.
From Mary Anerley : a Yorkshire Tale by Blackmore, R. D. (Richard Doddridge)
And while she gazed her heart went pitapat.
From Ulysses by Joyce, James
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.
