rat-a-tat

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Definitions from WordNet

Noun rat-a-tat has 1 sense

rat-a-tat-tat, rat-a-tat, rat-tat - a series of short sharp taps (as made by strokes on a drum or knocks on a door)
--₁ is a kind of tapping

Definitions from the Web

Rat-a-tat

Noun

Sense 1: A fast and repeated knocking sound resembling that made by a machine gun.

Example sentence: I was startled by the rat-a-tat of fireworks outside my window on New Year's Eve.

Adjective

Sense 1: Describing a rapid or hurried action or speech.

Example sentence: The rat-a-tat conversation between the two friends made it hard for me to follow.

Adverb

Sense 1: Indicating a rapid or staccato rhythm or style.

Example sentence: The drummer played the rat-a-tat beats with great precision.