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 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)

Awguan, top horse and foreman of Stanley's mount, swung pitapat down the winding pass at a brisk fox trot.

From Copper Streak Trail by Rhodes, Eugene Manlove

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.

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 Tolstoy, Leo, graf

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

Related Words

• chatter