adj. 1. a. Suitable; fitting: "Suggestions about her reasons for going are made indirectly, lightly and ambiguously; no pat explanation is offered" (Janna Malamud Smith). b. Fitting or satisfactory in a superficial or contrived way, especially in being trite or glib: "The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the ending too pat" (Leonard Malkin). 2. Games Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it. adv. Informal Readily or perfectly as a result of memorization or familiarization: They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat. [From PAT1.] patly adv. patness n. |
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