PATTER

I. verb Etymology: Middle English patren, from paternoster Date: 14th century transitive verb to say or speak in a rapid or mechanical manner, intransitive verb to recite prayers (as paternosters) rapidly or mechanically, to talk glibly and volubly, to speak or sing rapid-fire words in a theatrical performance, ~er noun II. noun Date: 1758 a specialized lingo ; cant , the spiel of a street hawker or of a circus barker, empty chattering talk, 4. a. the rapid-fire talk of a comedian, the talk with which an entertainer accompanies a routine, the words of a comic song or of a rapidly spoken usually humorous monologue introduced into such a song, III. verb Etymology: frequentative of 3pat Date: 1611 intransitive verb to strike or pat rapidly and repeatedly, to run with quick light-sounding steps, transitive verb to cause to ~, IV. noun Date: 1844 a quick succession of light sounds or pats