pat
1
[ pat ]
/ pæt /
verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.
verb (used without object), pat·ted, pat·ting.
to strike lightly or gently.
to walk or run with light footsteps.
noun
Idioms for pat
Origin of pat
1
1375–1425; late Middle English
pat blow, stroke, apparently of expressive orig.
OTHER WORDS FROM pat
un·pat·ted, adjectiveWords nearby pat
pasturage,
pasture,
pasture rose,
pasty,
pasty-faced,
pat,
pat on the back,
pat-a-cake,
pat-down,
pat.,
pat. off.
British Dictionary definitions for pat on the back (1 of 4)
pat
1
/ (pæt) /
verb pats, patting or patted
noun
Word Origin for pat
C14: perhaps imitative
British Dictionary definitions for pat on the back (2 of 4)
pat
2
/ (pæt) /
adverb
Also: off pat
exactly or fluently memorized or mastered
he recited it pat
opportunely or aptly
stand pat
- mainly US and Canadian to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
- (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
adjective
exactly right for the occasion; apt
a pat reply
too exactly fitting; glib
a pat answer to a difficult problem
exactly right
a pat hand in poker
Word Origin for pat
C17: perhaps adverbial use (``with a light stroke'') of
pat
1
British Dictionary definitions for pat on the back (3 of 4)
pat
3
/ (pæt) /
noun
on one's pat Australian informal
alone; on one's own
Word Origin for pat
C20: rhyming slang, from
Pat Malone
British Dictionary definitions for pat on the back (4 of 4)
Pat
/ (pæt) /
noun
an informal name for an Irishman
Word Origin for Pat
from
Patrick
Idioms and Phrases with pat on the back (1 of 2)
pat on the back
A word or gesture of support, approval, or praise, as in The bonus she gave her assistant was a pat on the back for doing a good job. [Early 1800s]
Idioms and Phrases with pat on the back (2 of 2)
pat