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patter

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(pat′ər)

intransitive verb

to make a patter
to run or move along so as to make a patter

Origin: freq. of pat

noun

a series of quick, light taps: the patter of rain on leaves

transitive verb, intransitive verb

to speak or mumble rapidly or glibly; recite (prayers, etc.) mechanically or thoughtlessly

Origin: ME pateren < pater, in paternoster, as pronounced in rapid, mechanical recitation

noun

language peculiar to a group, class, etc., and not generally understood by outsiders; cant; jargon
the glib, rapid speech of salespeople, comedians, magicians, etc.
idle, meaningless chatter

Related Forms:

patterer noun

noun

a person or thing that pats

See patter in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters

verb, intransitive

To make a quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: Rain pattered steadily against the glass.
To move with quick, light, softly audible steps.

verb, transitive

To cause to patter.

noun

A quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: the patter of rain on the rooftops.

Origin:

Origin: Frequentative of pat¹

verb pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters

verb, intransitive

To speak or chatter glibly and rapidly.
To mumble prayers in a mechanical manner.

verb, transitive

To utter in a glib, rapid, or mechanical manner.

noun

The jargon of a particular group; cant.
Glib rapid speech, as of an auctioneer, salesperson, or comedian.
Meaningless talk; chatter.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English pateren

Origin: , shortening and alteration of paternoster, paternoster (from the mechanical and rapid recitation of the prayer); see paternoster

Related Forms:

patˈter·er noun

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