verb. (colloquial).—To walk lightly and quickly: as with a quick succession of sounds; to palpitate. Also adj. and subs. [The same word as ‘prittle-prattle’ (or ‘pittle-pattle’ = to chatter): see quot. 1555.]

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  c. 1555.  LATIMER, Remains [Parker Society (1844–5), i. 106]. In our deeds I fear me too many of us deny God to be God, whatsoever we PITTLE-PATTLE with our tongues. Ibid., Sermons, 306 verso. She doth not as our Papistes doe, which PRITTLE PRATTLE a whole day uppon theyr Beades.

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  1601.  JONSON, The Poetaster, iv. 1. You shall have kisses from them go PIT-PAT, PIT-PAT, PIT-PAT upon your lips as thick as stones out of slings at the assault of a city.

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  1605.  SYLVESTER, Du Bartas, ii.

        Run bow’d with burdens to the fragrant Fat,
Tumble them in, and after PIT-A-PAT
Up to the Waste.

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  1618.  FLETCHER, The Loyal Subject, ii. 2. Y. Arch. … Lord, how my heart leaps! Pet. ’Twill go PIT-A-PAT shortly.

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  1690.  DRYDEN, Don Sebastian, iii. 2. Now again, I hear the PIT-A-PAT of a pretty Foot through the dark Alley.

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  1693.  CONGREVE, The Old Batchelor, ii. 2. Agad, my heart has gone a PIT PAT for thee.

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  1711.  STEELE, Spectator, 503. She immediately stepped out of her pew, and fell into the finest PITTY-PAT air.

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  d. 1891.  J. R. LOWELL, The Courtin’.

        His heart kep’ going PITY-PAT,
  But hern went pity Zekle.

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