Definition of "patter" in English

noun

1. 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.

verb

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

   • The bullets pattered into the log-cabin walls.

2. To spatter; to sprinkle.

   • 1819 (published in 1835) Joseph Rodman Drake, The Culprit Fay Patter the water about the boat.

noun

1. Glib and rapid speech, such as from an auctioneer or a sports commentator.

verb

1. To speak glibly and rapidly, as does an auctioneer or a sports commentator.

2. (intransitive, obsolete) To repeat the Lord's Prayer.

3. (intransitive, obsolete) To pray.

4. (transitive, obsolete) To repeat hurriedly; to mutter.

noun

1. One who pats.