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Definition of petting - 6 dictionary results

pet⋅ting

  [pet-ing]
Use petting in a Sentence
–noun
amorous caressing and kissing.
Origin:
1870–75; pet 1 + -ing 1

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.
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To petting
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·ting   (pět'ĭng)   
n.   Informal
The act or practice of amorously embracing, kissing, and caressing one's partner.
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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