no obj.
1- make a repeated light tapping sound发出急速轻拍声：
a flurry of rain pattered against the window.
一阵小雨噼噼啪啪地轻击窗户。
1.1
- run with quick light steps小步快跑：
plovers pattered at the edge of the marsh.
鸻沿着沼泽地边缘小步快跑。
in sing.
- a repeated light tapping重复的轻拍声：
the rain had stopped its vibrating patter above him.
他头顶上空噼噼啪啪的小雨已经停了。
短语
the patter of tiny feet
- humorous used in reference to the presence or imminent birth of a child〈幽默〉［用于指有孩子或即将生孩子］踢小脚的吧嗒吧嗒声：
I had given up hope of hearing the patter of tiny feet.
我已经放弃了生孩子的希望。
词源
early 17th cent.: frequentative of PAT1.
mass noun
1- rapid or smooth-flowing continuous talk, such as that used by a comedian or salesman（滑稽演员或推销员的）急口词; 快板：
slick black hair, flashy clothes and a New York line of patter.
油光发亮的黑发、华贵的衣服和一串纽约式的急口词。
1.1
- rapid speech included in a song, especially for comic effect（尤指歌曲中为起到滑稽效果的）急口插词：
as modifier a patter song of invective.一首谩骂急口歌。
1.2
- the special language or jargon of a profession or other group行话, 圈内语：
he picked up the patter from watching his dad.
他通过对父亲的观察学会了这些行话。
no obj.
- talk at length without saying anything significant唠唠叨叨地说：
she pattered on incessantly.
她唠唠叨叨地说个不停。
词源
late Middle English （as a verb in the sense 'recite （a prayer, charm, etc. ） rapidly'）： from PATERNOSTER. The noun dates from the mid 18th cent.