rataplan

[ rat-uh-plan ]

/ ˌræt əˈplæn /

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noun

a sound of or as of the beating of a drum.

verb (used without object), rat·a·planned, rat·a·plan·ning.

to produce such a sound.

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Origin of rataplan

1840–50; <French; imitative

Words nearby rataplan

ratafia biscuit, Ratak Chain, ratal, ratan, Ratana, rataplan, rat-arsed, rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat-tat, ratatouille, ratbag

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rataplan in a sentence

It's much too fine, really, to go anywhere except to the Rataplan and play golf.
The Cab of the Sleeping Horse|John Reed Scott
A little drummer boy was marching at the head of a procession, gaily rolling his rataplan.
The Eternal City|Hall Caine
Of course, I sprang from Rataplan's back and ordered the groom to lead him back into the stables.
The Exploits Of Brigadier Gerard|Arthur Conan Doyle
The old horse, Rataplan, knew me so well that he had started off before ever I gave the first shake to the bridle.
The Exploits Of Brigadier Gerard|Arthur Conan Doyle

Rataplan, rat-a-plong′, n. the sound or rattle of the military drum, a tattoo.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R)|Various

British Dictionary definitions for rataplan

rataplan

/ (ˌrætəˈplæn) /

noun

a drumming sound

Word Origin for rataplan

from French, of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012