Definition

1. Noun:

   • A quick succession of light, rapid sounds: A series of short, light, tapping noises.
   • Plausible, rapid, and often glib talk: Fast, smooth, and sometimes insincere speech, often used by performers or salespeople.

2. Verb:

   • To make light, rapid, and repeated sounds: To produce a series of quick, light taps or pats.
   • To talk rapidly and glibly: To speak quickly and smoothly, often in a rehearsed or persuasive manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Sound):

  • We heard the gentle patter of rain on the roof.
  • The patter of tiny feet echoed in the hallway.

• Noun (Speech):

  • The comedian's opening patter had the audience laughing immediately.
  • The salesman's smooth patter was designed to be persuasive.

• Verb (Sound):

  • Rain began to patter against the windowpane.
  • Her feet pattered down the wooden stairs.

• Verb (Speech):

  • The auctioneer pattered through the list of items at incredible speed.
  • He can patter off the company's mission statement without thinking.

Advanced Usage

• "The patter of rain": A common poetic phrase describing the sound of light rainfall.
• "Sales patter": A fixed set of persuasive phrases used by someone selling something.
  • I was immune to his well-rehearsed sales patter.

Variants and Related Words

• Pattering (adj/verb, present participle): Describing the action of making light, rapid sounds.
  • The pattering rain was a soothing sound.

Synonyms

• Noun (Sound): Pitter-patter, tapping, pattering, drumming.
• Noun (Speech): Spiel, line, chatter, gab.
• Verb (Sound): Tap, pitter-patter, spatter, drum.
• Verb (Speech): Prattle, chatter, babble, reel off.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Patter on: To talk rapidly and continuously about something.
  • He pattered on about his new hobby for an hour.

Related Idioms

• "Pitter-patter": Often used as a reduplicative form to emphasize the light, rapid sound, especially of rain or small feet.
  • Listen to the pitter-patter of the rain.
• "The patter of little feet": A sentimental phrase often used to refer to the presence or expectation of children in a home.
  • They look forward to the patter of little feet someday.

Noun

1. a quick succession of light rapid sounds
   • the patter of mice
   • the patter of tiny feet
2. plausible glib talk (especially useful to a salesperson)

Verb

1. make light, rapid and repeated sounds
   • gently pattering rain
2. rain gently
   • It has only sprinkled, but the roads are slick