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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pitapat pitapatted

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

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 O. Henry

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 Herman Gastrell Seely

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

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

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

Pitt's panthers pitapatted round Nebraska; the line poked holes, Fullback Parkinson plunged twice for touchdowns.

From Time Magazine Archive

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