paradiddle

Imitative. May be related to [Attic] Greek, παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi) 1) to give into the hands (of another) 2) to give over into (one's) power or use 2a) to deliver to one something to keep, use, take care of, manage

• IPA^(key): /ˈpæɹəˌdɪdəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

  Rhymes: -ɪdəl

paradiddle (plural paradiddles)

1. (music) A percussive exercise (one of 26 drum rudiments per the National Association of Rudimental Drummers or one of 40 per the Percussive Arts Society) which involves playing four even strokes in the order ‘right left right right’ or ‘left right left left.’
   • 2023 December 8, The Big Issue, Melbourne, page 33, column 2:

     I mean, as a drummer, you're sitting at a practice pad for hours on end, doing paradiddles and all the exercises you learn for your craft.

• paradiddle-diddle

paradiddle (third-person singular simple present paradiddles, present participle paradiddling, simple past and past participle paradiddled)

1. To produce percussive sounds of this kind.