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pitapat

[ pit-uh-pat ] [ ˈpɪt əˌpæt ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

adverb

with a quick succession of beats or taps

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Why Dictionary.com chose pitapat

More about pitapat

  • First recorded in 1515–25.
  • Imitative of a rapid, percussive sound.
  • Historically, used primarily to describe the heart of someone excited.

EXAMPLES OF PITAPAT

  • Her footsteps echoed pitapat down the empty hallway.
  • Raindrops fell pitapat on the tent’s canvas roof.
20240103
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51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar

51³Ô¹Ï of the day

vitrify

[ vi-truh-fahy ] [ ˈvɪ trəˌfaɪ ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

verb

to convert into glass

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Why Dictionary.com chose vitrify

More about vitrify

  • First recorded in 1585–95.
  • Combines the Latin root vitrium, meaning “glass,” + -´Ú²â².
  • Related to the vitro in in vitro, meaning “glass or vial.”

EXAMPLES OF VITRIFY

  • The intense heat began to vitrify the sand at the meteor’s impact site.
  • Fluctuating temperatures in the kiln failed to fully vitrify the glaze on the bowl.
20240103
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar

51³Ô¹Ï of the day

shindig

[ shin-dig ] [ ˈʃɪnˌdɪg ] Show IPA Phonetic Respelling

noun

a large dance, party, or other celebration

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Why Dictionary.com chose shindig

More about shindig

  • First recorded in 1855–60.
  • Of obscure origin; perhaps related to shinny, a stick-and-ball sport, or the Gaelic word ²õì²Ô³Ù±ð²¹²µ, meaning “leap.”

EXAMPLES OF SHINDIG

  • Nothing says summer like a rooftop shindig with string lights and loud music.
  • I heard they spent ten grand on that shindig and still ran out of guacamole.
20240103
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar
51³Ô¹Ï of the Day Calendar