pitter-patter

Reduplication of patter.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪt.əˈpæt.ə/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈpɪt.ɚˈpæt.ɚ/

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pitter-patter (uncountable)

1. A soft, percussive sound, as of tiny feet, or of rain on a rooftop.
   • 1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann, page 237:

     Once or twice I heard a faint pitter-patter like the feet of the dog going hither and thither on the sand far below me, and there were more bird-like sounds, but that was all.