petting
[ pet-ing ]
/ ˈpɛt ɪŋ /
noun
Informal.
kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity between partners that does not involve sexual intercourse.
Compare heavy petting.
Words nearby petting
petticoat narcissus,
petticoated,
pettifog,
pettifogger,
pettifogging,
petting,
petting zoo,
pettipants,
pettish,
pettiskirt,
pettislip
Definition for petting (2 of 3)
Origin of pet
1
1500–10; (noun) perhaps back formation from
pet lamb cade lamb, shortened variant of
petty lamb little lamb (see
petty); (v.) derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM pet
pet·ta·ble, adjectiveDefinition for petting (3 of 3)
pet
2
[ pet ]
/ pɛt /
noun
a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.
verb (used without object)
to be peevish; sulk.
Origin of pet
2
1580–90; origin uncertain; cf.
pettish
Example sentences from the Web for petting
British Dictionary definitions for petting (1 of 3)
pet
1
/ (pɛt) /
noun
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
a person who is fondly indulged; favourite
teacher's pet
adjective
verb pets, petting or petted
Derived forms of pet
petter, nounWord Origin for pet
C16: origin unknown
British Dictionary definitions for petting (2 of 3)
pet
2
/ (pɛt) /
noun
a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique
verb pets, petting or petted
(intr)
to take offence; sulk
Word Origin for pet
C16: of uncertain origin
British Dictionary definitions for petting (3 of 3)
PET
abbreviation for
positron emission tomography
n acronym for
potentially exempt transfer: a procedure in the UK whereby gifting property and cash is tax-free, provided that the donor lives for at least seven years after the gift is made
Medical definitions for petting
PET
abbr.
positron emission tomography
Idioms and Phrases with petting
pet