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n. 1. A small pouch, often consisting of two plastic or foil sheets sealed at the edges, used to distribute single portions of products in the form of liquids, powders, or small pieces: a ketchup packet. 2. A small package or bundle: sent me a packet of newspaper clippings. 3. Informal A sizable sum of money. 4. A boat or ship, usually a coastal or river steamer, that plies a regular route and carries passengers, freight, and mail. 5. A short block of data transmitted in a packet-switching network. [Middle English paket, pekette, small package, bundle, probably diminutive of pak, pack; see PACK1.] |
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