v. 1 tiptoe; scurry, scuttle, skip, trip I could hear the squirrels pattering across the metal roof 2 spatter, pitter-patter, tap, pit-a-pat; beat, pelt The rain pattered on the tent with increasing intensity
n. 3 spatter, spattering, pit-a-pat, pitter-patter, tattoo, drum, thrum, beat, beating, tap, ratatat, tap-tap The rhythmical patter of the rain lulled me to sleep