pitapat

American  

[pit-uh-pat] / ˈpɪt əˌpæt /

adverb

1. with a quick succession of beats or taps.

   Her heart beat pitapat with excitement.

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noun

1. the movement or the sound of something going pitapat.

   the pitapat of hail on a roof.

verb (used without object)

pitapatted, pitapatting

1. to go pitapat.

pitapat British  

/ ˌpɪtəˈpæt /

adverb

1. with quick light taps or beats

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verb

1. (intr) to make quick light taps or beats

noun

1. such taps or beats

Etymology

Origin of pitapat

First recorded in 1515–25; imitative gradational compound

Example Sentences

And while she gazed her heart went pitapat.

From Ulysses by Joyce, James

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.

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

How his heart had gone pitapat when he had discovered it and had quietly, oh, so quietly, dropped his baited hook into the clear, spring water.

From A Son of the City A Story of Boy Life by Seely, Herman Gastrell

"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

Related Words

• chatter