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pat¹

(păt)

v. pat·ted, pat·ting, pats

v.tr.

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

b. To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection. See Synonyms at caress.

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.

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.

Idiom:

pat on the back

An expression or gesture of praise or approval: Let's give them a pat on the back for doing a good job.

[From Middle English, a blow, perhaps of imitative origin.]

pat²

(păt)

adj.

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.]

patly adv.

patness n.

pat.

abbr.

patent

PAT

abbr.

point after touchdown

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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