| 释义 |
▪ I. ˈpitter-ˈpatter, n. (adv.)
[Reduplicated from patter v.1 and v.2, implying rhythmic repetition.]
1. Rapid repetition of words; sometimes applied to rapid and mechanical repetition of prayers. Cf. patter v.1
c1425Cast. Persev. 2604 in Macro Plays, Ȝene qwene, with hyr pytyr-patyr, hath al to-dayschyd my skallyd skulle! 1561Q. Hesther (1873) 30 So they from pytter pattour, may cume to tytter totur Euen the same pylgrimage.
2. An imitation of a rapid alternation of light beating sounds, as those made by rain or hail, light footfalls, etc.
a. orig. as adv.
1679Dryden Troilus iv. ii, I'faith, pitter patter, pitter patter, as thick as hail-stones. 1839Thackeray Major Gahagan viii, Pitter patter, pitter-patter! they [bullets] fell.
b. as n. A designation of such a sound.
1863R. Buchanan Undertones i. vii, I lie and hearken,..To the tinkling clatter, Pitter, patter, Of the rain On the leaves close to me. 1897W. H. Thornton Remin. W. Co. Clergyman vi. 169, I heard a pitter-patter, which seemed to be the tramp of a flock of sheep.
▪ II. ˈpitter-ˈpatter, v.
[f. as prec. n.]
1. trans. and intr. To patter or repeat in a rapid mechanical way. Cf. patter v.1
a1706in Watson Coll. Scot. Poems i. 48 The Cleck Geese leave off to clatter,..And Priests, Maria's to pitter patter. 1819W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd iv. (1827) 134 Sir Freir began wi' blitter-blatter His pray'rs to saints to pitter-patter.
2. intr. To beat with a rapid alternation of light taps or pats, as rain; to palpitate. Cf. patter v.2
a1792Ld. Hailes (Jam.). 1808–18Jamieson, Pitter-patter, to make a clattering noise by inconstant motion of the feet. 1825Brockett N.C. Gloss., Pitter-patter, to beat incessantly, like rain. 1891S. C. Scrivener Our Fields & Cities 41 He had..put on a clean collar over a pitter-pattering heart. |