rataplan

[rat-uh-plan]

noun

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

verb (used without object)

rataplanned, rataplanning 

1. to produce such a sound.

rataplan

/ ˌrætəˈplæn /

noun

1. a drumming sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of rataplan¹

1840–50; < French; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of rataplan¹

from French, of imitative origin

Example Sentences

“Christ, look at this mud,” said Francis as we bounced through yet another pothole, brown spray striking the window with a thick rataplan.

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I had a moment of triumph also when we sang the Rataplan, rataplan.

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Let Honor beat the rataplan and Duty quick obey— Make “yea” an instant Tagerman, and “no” at once a Ney!

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Drums were bought by subscription, and in the armoury down under the School tattoo and rataplan voiced the martial spirit of St. James'.

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In a few moments he heard the dancing rataplan of the hoofs of an eager, nervous horse, a curse from Larry, the hoof-beats clamored past, steadied to a drumming roar, and died in the distance.

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