pit-a-pat

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See also: pitapat

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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Imitative.[1]

Interjection

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pit-a-pat

  1. Representing a series of quick tapping sounds.

Verb

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pit-a-pat (third-person singular simple present pit-a-pats, present participle pit-a-patting, simple past and past participle pit-a-patted)

  1. To make a series of quick tapping sounds; to palpitate

Noun

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pit-a-pat (plural pit-a-pats)

  1. A series of quick tapping sounds

Adverb

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pit-a-pat (not comparable)

  1. With a quick tapping sound
    • 1842–1845, Robert Browning, “[Dramatic Romances and Lyrics.] The Pied Piper of Hamelin; a Child’s Story. [].”, in Poems [], new edition, volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, [], published 1849, →OCLC, stanza IV, page 308:
      “Only a scraping of shoes on the mat? / “Anything like the sound of a rat / “Makes my heart go pit-a-pat!”

Adjective

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pit-a-pat

  1. Characterized by quick tapping sounds; palpitating.
    • 1810, [anonymous] [], chapter XXVII, in Splendid Follies. A Novel, []. Founded on Facts., volume III, London: [] J[ames] F[letcher] Hughes, [], →OCLC, page 109:
      The chesnut ringlets were speedily twitched from the confining paper, her Sunday hat, gown, and neckerchief bustled on in a moment, and wondering what he would say, and how she should feel and behave on the trying occasion, she descended with a pit-a-pat heart, and a cheek covered with burning blushes.
    • 1830 February 4, The Maryland Gazette[1], volume LXXXV, number 5, Annapolis, Md.:
      The pit-a-pat heart of a susceptible girl of sixteen, tells her that a gentleman is a tall fellow with a fine military cap on his head; []
    • a. 1856, Henry Anderton, “To the same [Little Hannah]”, in The Temperance and Other Poems of the Late Henry Anderton, [], Preston, Lancs: [] W. and J. Dobson, [], published 1863, page 97:
      Dear Hannah—you learn from your aunt to conceal / The things that your parents do bid you reveal— / ’Tis true, I am Henry, and Anderton, too, / But that’s not an answer expected from you— / You, yesterday, called me a very dear name, / Which set my poor pit-a-pat heart in a flame: / Speak! am I your “uncle?” The truth I would know; / I wonder who taught you to speak to me so!
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References

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  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “pit-a-pat (adv.)”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

Anagrams

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