Library / English Dictionary

PATTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)

Synonyms:

line of gab; patter; spiel

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("patter" is a kind of...):

channel; communication channel; line ((often plural) a means of communication or access)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A quick succession of light rapid sounds

Example:

the patter of tiny feet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("patter" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

patter (make light, rapid and repeated sounds)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Make light, rapid and repeated sounds

Example:

gently pattering rain

Synonyms:

patter; pitter-patter

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "patter" is one way to...):

go; sound (make a certain noise or sound)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

patter (a quick succession of light rapid sounds)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Rain gently

Example:

It has only sprinkled, but the roads are slick

Synonyms:

patter; pitter-patter; spatter; spit; sprinkle

Classified under:

Verbs of raining, snowing, thawing, thundering

Hypernyms (to "patter" is one way to...):

rain; rain down (precipitate as rain)

Sentence frame:

It is ----ing

Credits

 Context examples: 

It was already one in the morning; the rain pattered dismally against the panes, and my candle was nearly burnt out, when, by the glimmer of the half-extinguished light, I saw the dull yellow eye of the creature open; it breathed hard, and a convulsive motion agitated its limbs.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

All around him Alleyne could hear the stern, short orders of the master-bowmen, while the air was filled with the keen twanging of the strings and the swish and patter of the shafts.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It had been raining all morning, I remember—a soft spring rain, which sent up a rich smell from the brown earth and pattered pleasantly upon the budding chestnuts behind our cottage.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She begged him to remain at home, as she could hear the rain pattering against the window, but in spite of her entreaties he pulled on his large mackintosh and left the house.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

And holding the little paper fast, as if it were a promise yet to be fulfilled, Jo laid her head down on a comfortable rag bag, and cried, as if in opposition to the rain pattering on the roof.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

A few great drops came pattering loudly down, and then in a moment the steady swish of a brisk shower, with the dripping and dropping of the leaves.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

First he passed two Dominicans in their long black dresses, who swept by him with downcast looks and pattering lips, without so much as a glance at him.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Sleepy old brother Athanasius, at the porter's cell, had a fleeting vision of twinkling feet and flying skirts; but before he had time to rub his eyes the recreant had passed the lodge, and was speeding as fast as his sandals could patter along the Lyndhurst Road.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)