patter

¹pat·ter

verb \ˈpa-tər\

Definition of PATTER

transitive verb

: to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner

intransitive verb

1

: to recite prayers (as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically

2

: to talk glibly and volubly

3

: to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance

— pat·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun

Origin of PATTER

Middle English patren, from paternoster

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with PATTER

attar, batter, blatter, chatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, latter, matter, natter, plaiter, platter, ratter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter

²patter

noun

Definition of PATTER

1

: a specialized lingo : cant; especially : the jargon of criminals (as thieves)

2

: the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker

3

: empty chattering talk

4

a (1) : the rapid-fire talk of a comedian (2) : the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine

b : the words of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usually humorous monologue introduced into such a song

First Known Use of PATTER

1758

Rhymes with PATTER

batter, chatter, clatter, flatter, matter, natter, plaiter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter

³patter

verb

Definition of PATTER

intransitive verb

1

: to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly

2

: to run with quick light-sounding steps

transitive verb

: to cause to patter

Origin of PATTER

frequentative of ³pat

First Known Use: 1611

⁴patter

noun

Definition of PATTER

: a quick succession of light sounds or pats

First Known Use of PATTER

1844