I. |pid.]ē|pat, -it], ]i|p- sometimes ]ə|p-; usu -ad.+V adverb (or adjective)
or pit-pat ˈpitˌp- ; also pitty-pat like pit-a-pat ; or pitty-patty | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|pad.]ē, -at], ]i\
Etymology: imitative
1. : with a succession of strong rapid beats (as of the heart) : pitter-patter
heart went pit-a-pat
2. : with a succession of light rapid pats (as of footfalls)
came running pit-a-pat down the corridor in her bare feet
II. noun
1. : a pattering sound : pitter-patter
the pit-a-pat of rain on the roof
2. : an onset of palpitation (as from emotion)
the pit-a-pat of two young hearts — John Dryden
III. intransitive verb
: to go pit-a-pat : pitter-patter
love pit-a-patted in their hearts — Donn Byrne