patter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a quick succession of light rapid sounds

   The patter of mice.

2. 2
   verb

   make light, rapid and repeated sounds

   Gently pattering rain.

3. 3
   noun

   A soft repeated sound, as of rain falling, or feet walking on a hard surface.

   I could hear the patter of mice running about in the dark.

4. 4
   verb

   To make irregularly repeated sounds of low-to-moderate magnitude and lower-than-average pitch.

   The bullets pattered into the log-cabin walls.

Noun is from Middle English pater, verb is from Middle English pateren. Noun attested 1758, originally referring to the cant of thieves and beggers.

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