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Patter vs Clang - What's the difference?

patter | clang |

As nouns the difference between patter and clang

is that patter is godfather while clang is a loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other.

As a verb clang is

to strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.

patter

English

Etymology 1

1610s, of (onomatopoeia) origin.

Noun

(en noun)
  • The soft sound of feet walking on a hard surface.
    • I could hear the patter of mice running about in the dark.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1907, author=
    • , title=The Dust of Conflict , chapter=7 citation , passage=The patter of feet, and clatter of strap and swivel, seemed to swell into a bewildering din, but they were almost upon the fielato offices, where the carretera entered the town, before a rifle flashed.}}
    Derived terms
    * pitter-patter

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To make irregularly repeated sounds of low-to-moderate magnitude and lower-than-average pitch.
    • The bullets pattered into the log-cabin walls.
  • * Thomson
    • The stealing shower is scarce to patter heard.
  • To spatter; to sprinkle.
  • * J. R. Drake
    • Patter the water about the boat.

    Etymology 2

    Circa 1400, from . Noun attested 1758, originally referring to the cant of thieves and beggers.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Glib and rapid speech, such as from an auctioneer, or banter during a sports event.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • To speak in such a way – glibly and rapidly, such as from an auctioneer, or when bantering during a sports event.
  • * Mayhew
    • I've gone out and pattered to get money.
    Derived terms
    * Glasgow patter

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who pats.

    • References

    English onomatopoeias

    clang

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A loud, ringing sound, like that made by free-hanging metal objects striking each other.
  • Quality of tone.
  • The cry of some birds, including the crane and the goose.
  • (psychology, psychiatry) A word or phrase linked only by sound and not by meaning, characteristic of some mental disorders.
  • * Oliver Sacks, Awakenings
    • For much of this day, Mrs Y. wrote in her diary, covering page after page in a rapid scrawl full of paligraphic repetitions, puns, clangs, and violent, perseverative crossings-out

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To strike (objects) together so as to produce a clang.
  • * Prior
    • The fierce Caretes clanged their sounding arms.
  • To give out a clang; to resound.
  • * 1933 , Norvell Page, Wings of the Black Death
    • A cell door clanged metallically and Wentworth was flung inside. He tripped, collapsed upon the concrete floor.
  • * 1920 , Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence Chapter XXIX
    • The clanging and groaning of the train came nearer, and it staggered slowly into the station like a prey- laden monster into its lair.
  • * 1917 , Rose Wilder Lane, Henry Ford’s Own Story
    • Then the sparks flew from the anvil while the great hammer clanged on the metal, shaping it, and Henry begged to be allowed to try it