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patter

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

L325156 on Wikidata ↗

verb

  1. create intermittent soft sounds
L332472 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈpæt.ə/ / /ˈpæt.ɚ/

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English pat English -er English patter From pat + -er (“agent”).

  1. One who pats.

    I used to hate head patters, and I have realized that all children dislike being patted on the head.

verb

Etymology: Noun is from Middle English pater, verb is from Middle English pateren. Noun attested 1758, originally referring to the cant of thieves and beggers.

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

    He showed a little of the pride of art in describing the management of his business, but he would not hear that he “pattered:” he talked to his customers, he declared, as any draper, who knew his business well, might talk to his.

  2. To repeat the Lord's Prayer.
  3. To pray.
  4. To repeat hurriedly; to mutter.