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:
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 R. D. (Richard Doddridge) Blackmore
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 Peter Mark Roget
I stood, and looked, and listened, and my heart went pitapat.
From Fables for Children, Stories for Children, Natural Science Stories, Popular Education, Decembrists, Moral Tales by Leo Tolstoy, Count
Anything like the sound of a rat Makes my heart go pitapat!
From The Land of Song, Book II For lower grammar grades by Various
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 Lloyd Osbourne
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.
