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pet

 - 15 dictionary results

pet

1   [pet] noun, adjective, verb,pet·ted, pet·ting.
–noun
1.
any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
2.
a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite: He was the teacher's pet.
3.
a thing particularly cherished.
–adjective
4.
kept or treated as a pet: a pet lamb.
5.
especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
6.
favorite; most preferred: a pet theory.
7.
showing fondness or affection: to address someone with pet words.
–verb (used with object)
8.
to fondle or caress: to pet a dog.
9.
to treat as a pet; indulge.
–verb (used without object)
10.
Informal. to engage in amorous fondling and caressing.
Use pet in a Sentence
Origin:
1500–10; (n.) perh. back formation from pet lamb cade lamb, shortened var. of petty lamb little lamb (see petty); (v.) deriv. of the n.

—Related forms
pet·ta·ble, adjective

—Synonyms
8. baby, humor, pamper, favor.

pet

2   [pet]
–noun
1.
a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.
–verb (used without object)
2.
to be peevish; sulk.
Origin:
1580–90; orig. uncert.; cf. pettish

PET

   [pet]
positron emission tomography.
Compare PET scan.

Pet.

 
Peter.

pet.

 
petroleum.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To pet
Word Origin & History

pet
"tamed animal," originally Scot. and northern England dial., of unknown origin. Sense of "indulged child" (1508) is recorded slightly earlier than that of "animal kept as a favorite" (1539), but the latter may be the primary meaning. Probably associated with or influenced by petty. The verb is 1629 meaning "treat as a pet;" the sense of "to stroke" is first found 1818. Slang sense of "kiss and caress" is from 1920 (implied in petting, in F. Scott Fitzgerald). Teacher's pet is attested from 1914.

pet
"peevishness, offense at feeling slighted," 1590, in phrase take the pet "take offense." Perhaps from pet (1) on a similar notion to that in Amer.Eng. that gets my goat, but the underlying notion is obscure, and the form of the original expression makes this doubtful. This word seems to have been originally a southern Eng. term, while pet (1) was Scottish.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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pet 1   (pět)   
n.  

  1. An animal kept for amusement or companionship.

  2. An object of the affections.

  3. A person especially loved or indulged; a favorite: the teacher's pet.

adj.  

  1. Kept as a pet: a pet cat.

    1. Particularly cherished or indulged: a pet grandchild.

    2. Expressing or showing affection: a pet name.

  3. Being a favorite: a pet topic.

v.   pet·ted, pet·ting, pets

v.   tr.
To stroke or caress gently; pat. See Synonyms at caress.
v.   intr. Informal
To make love by fondling and caressing.

[Scottish Gaelic peata, tame animal, pet, from Old Irish.]
pet'ter n.
pet 2   (pět)   
n.  A fit of bad temper or pique.
intr.v.   pet·ted, pet·ting, pets
To be sulky and peevish.

[Origin unknown.]
PET  
abbr.  positron emission tomography
positron emission tomography  
n.   Abbr. PET
Tomography in which a computer-generated image of a biological activity within the body is produced through the detection of gamma rays that are emitted when introduced radionuclides decay and release positrons.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: PET
Function: abbreviation
positron-emission tomography
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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PET abbr.
positron emission tomography

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Abbreviations & Acronyms
PET
positron emission tomography
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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Idioms & Phrases

pet

In addition to the idiom beginning with pet, also see teacher's pet.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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