I. verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
the rain patters on sth (= drops of rain hit something and make a sound )
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Rain pattered on the roof.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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I could hear feet shuffling and pattering about upstairs.
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Raindrops were pattering on the car roof.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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A few raindrops patter on the roof.
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A small fountain pattered gently in the big reception hall.
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And the old fountain, now green with moss and algae, made a sweet, pattering sound.
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He liked rain in September, its calm gray pattering.
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It pattered quietly in the distance, each small wave softly succeeding the next.
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Outside the rain pattered lightly on the window, and in the room there was a great sense of tranquillity.
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There was a sound of stir all over the house, pattering of feet in the corridors.
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They could hear the rain pattering in the grass and bouncing off the roof of the jeep.
II. noun
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
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a salesman's patter
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My thoughts wandered as the tour guide began his patter .
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the patter of mice in the attic
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
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As I hurried I heard the scrabbling patter of the wolves closing in.
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Dennis was knocking the stuff back like lager, not even bothering with his usual patter .
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It was drizzling very lightly, and I could hear the tiny patter of small raindrops.
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Paula Curry was good at hiding discomfort behind easy patter , but the strain was starting to tell.
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The tour guide begins his patter on Forty-sixth.
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While you are doing this trick it's a good idea to invent a little patter .