pitapat

[ pit-uh-pat ]

adverb

1. with a quick succession of beats or taps:

   Her heart beat pitapat with excitement.

noun

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

   the pitapat of hail on a roof.

verb (used without object)

, pit·a·pat·ted, pit·a·pat·ting.

1. to go pitapat.

pitapat

/ ˌpɪtəˈpæt /

adverb

1. with quick light taps or beats

verb

1. intr to make quick light taps or beats

noun

1. such taps or beats

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitapat¹

First recorded in 1515–25; imitative gradational compound

Example Sentences

And Stempenju dissolves on his violin and melts like wax; pitapat is all you may hear.

From Project Gutenberg

Scolding and pushing Pitapat out before her, she closed the door with a bang.

From Project Gutenberg

"Three times and out," he whispered as the boys' hearts went pitapat.

From Project Gutenberg

She walks the deck; and tick, tick, pitapat, go the four little paws after her.

From Project Gutenberg

Somebody marched pitapat about the room, and somebody danced by the fireplace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chatter