Patterer

pat·ter ¹  (ptr)

v. pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters

v.intr.

1. To make a quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: Rain pattered steadily against the glass.

2. To move with quick, light, softly audible steps.

v.tr.

To cause to patter.

n.

A quick succession of light soft tapping sounds: the patter of rain on the rooftops.

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[Frequentative of pat.]

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pat·ter ²  (ptr)

v. pat·tered, pat·ter·ing, pat·ters

v.intr.

1. To speak or chatter glibly and rapidly.

2. To mumble prayers in a mechanical manner.

v.tr.

To utter in a glib, rapid, or mechanical manner.

n.

1. The jargon of a particular group; cant.

2. Glib rapid speech, as of an auctioneer, salesperson, or comedian.

3. Meaningless talk; chatter.

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[Middle English pateren, shortening and alteration of paternoster, paternoster (from the mechanical and rapid recitation of the prayer); see paternoster.]

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patter·er n.