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Definition of pat - 13 dictionary results

pat

1  [pat] verb, pat⋅ted, pat⋅ting, noun
Use pat in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape: to pat dough into flat pastry forms.
2. to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
3. to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.
–verb (used without object)
4. to strike lightly or gently.
5. to walk or run with light footsteps.
–noun
6. a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.
7. the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.
8. a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.
—Idioms
9. a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement: Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.
10. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.
11. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage: The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME pat blow, stroke, appar. of expressive orig.

Synonyms:
8. square, cake, dab.

pat

2  [pat]
–adjective
1. exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune: a pat solution to a problem.
2. excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.
3. learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.
–adverb
4. exactly or perfectly.
5. aptly; opportunely.
—Idioms
6. down pat. down 1 (def. 49).
7. stand pat,
a. to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs: The government must stand pat in its policy.
b. Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.
Origin:
1570–80; orig. adverbial use of pat 1 , as obs. to hit pat to strike accurately

Related forms:
patness, noun
patter, noun

Pat

  [pat]
–noun
1. a male given name, form of Patrick.
2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

PAT

 
1. Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
2. Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

pat.

 
1. patent.
2. patented.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To pat
pat 1   (pāt)   
v.   pat·ted, pat·ting, pats

v.   tr.

    1. To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.

    2. To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.

  2. To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.

v.   intr.

  1. To run or walk with a tapping sound.

  2. To hit something or against something gently or lightly.

n.  

  1. A light gentle stroke or tap.

  2. The sound made by a light stroke or tap or by light footsteps.

  3. A small mass shaped by or as if by patting: a pat of butter.


[From Middle English, a blow, perhaps of imitative origin.]
pat 2   (pāt)   
adj.  

  1. Trite or glib; superficially complete or satisfactory: A pat answer is not going to satisfy an inquisitive audience.

    1. Timely or opportune.

    2. Suitable; fitting.

  3. Games Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.

adv.   Informal
Completely, exactly, or perfectly: They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat.

[From pat1.]
pat'ly adv., pat'ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

pat  (n.)
c.1400, "a blow, stroke," perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. The verb "to tap or strike lightly" is attested from 1601, and the noun "light tap with hand" is from c.1804. The noun sense "that which is formed by patting" (as in pat of butter) is 1754, probably from the verb. The nursery rhyme phrase pat-a-cake is known from 1874.

pat  (adv.)
"apt, suitably," 1578, perhaps a special use of pat (n.) in sense of "hitting" the mark. The adj. is 1638, from the adverb.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: PAT
Function: abbreviation
paroxysmal atrial tachycardia
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Computing Dictionary

PAT
1. Personalized Array Translator.
2. Port Address Translation.
(1998-05-09)

The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
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Idioms & Phrases

pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat, also see stand pat.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
PAT
point after touchdown
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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