▪ I. pitter, n. U.S.
(ˈpɪtə(r))
[f. pit n.2 + -er1.]
a. One who removes the pits or stones from fruit (Cent. Dict. 1890). b. A mechanical device for doing this.
| 1884 Knight Mech. Dict. Suppl. 359/1 Hatch's pitter splits the fruit and removes the pit. |
▪ II. pitter, v. ? dial.
(ˈpɪtə(r))
[Echoic, with frequentative form: cf. patter v., twitter v.]
intr. To make a rapid repetition of a monosyllabic sound in quality approaching short i, as in the sound made by the grasshopper, or by a thin stream of water running over stones. Hence ˈpittering ppl. a.; also pitter n., as name of a rivulet.
| a 1592 Greene Selimus Wks. (Grosart) XIV. 211 The brooke..when his pittering streames are low and thin. a 1635 Herrick K. Oberon's Feast Wks. 1869 II. 471 But that ther was in place to stirr His fier the pittering grass⁓hopper, The merrie crickett, puissing flye. 1652 G. Tooke Annæ Dicata, Pious Turtles 3 At whose foot some pittering Rillet wound. 1803 J. Leyden Scenes Infancy I. 141 Pittering grasshoppers pipe giddily along the glowing hill. |
| 1546 Yorks. Chantry Surv. (Surtees) II. 305 One little sprynge called Wragby Pytter. |