pitter-patter I. \|pid.ə(r)|pad.ə(r), -itə...atə-\adverb (or adjective) Etymology: imitative : pit-a-pat < her heart went pitter-patter > II. noun : a pattering sound : pit-a-pat < the pitter-patter of raindrops on a tin roof > III. intransitive verb (pitter-pattered ; pitter-pattered ; pitter-pattering ; pitter-patters) : to go pitter-patter : pit-a-pat < footsteps pitter-pattered down the hall >