pat

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape: to pat dough into flat pastry forms.

to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.

to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.

verb (used without object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

to strike lightly or gently.

to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.

the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.

Idioms for pat

a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement: Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.

pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.

pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage: The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

Origin of pat

1375–1425; late Middle English pat blow, stroke, apparently of expressive orig.

SYNONYMS FOR pat

8 square, cake, dab.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR pat ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

un·pat·ted, adjective

Words nearby pat

pasturage, pasture, pasture rose, pasty, pasty-faced, pat, pat on the back, pat-a-cake, pat-down, pat., pat. off.

Definition for pat (2 of 7)

pat ²

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

adjective

exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune: a pat solution to a problem.

excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.

learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.

adverb

exactly or perfectly.

aptly; opportunely.

Origin of pat

1570–80; orig. adverbial use of pat¹, as obsolete to hit pat to strike accurately

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

pat·ness, noun pat·ter, noun

Definition for pat (3 of 7)

Pat

[ pat ]

/ pæt /

noun

a male given name, form of Patrick.

a female given name, form of Patricia.

Definition for pat (4 of 7)

PAT

Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.

Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.

Definition for pat (5 of 7)

pat.

patent.

patented.

Definition for pat (6 of 7)

McCormick

[ muh-kawr-mik ]

/ məˈkɔr mɪk /

noun

Anne Elizabeth O'Hare,1882–1954, U.S. journalist, born in England.

Cyrus Hall,1809–84, U.S. inventor, especially of harvesting machinery.

PatriciaPat,born 1930, U.S. diver.

Robert Rutherford,1880–1955, U.S. newspaper publisher.

Definition for pat (7 of 7)

Nixon

[ nik-suh n ]

/ ˈnɪk sən /

noun

Richard M(il·hous)

[mil-hous] /ˈmɪl haʊs/,1913–94, 37th president of the U.S., 1969–74 (resigned).

his wifeThelma Catherine RyanPat,1912–93, U.S. First Lady 1969–74.

Example sentences from the Web for pat

Pat Robertson finished second in the 1988 Iowa caucus, and it was all downhill from there.

Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen? |Lloyd Green |January 4, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, place on a sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Make These Barefoot Contessa Chicken Pot Pies |Ina Garten |November 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In Illinois, embattled Democratic incumbent Pat Quinn lost his bid for re-election against Bruce Rauner.

GOP Shocks Democrats in Governor Races |Ben Jacobs |November 5, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
There, incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Roberts finds himself in a close contest against independent Greg Orman.

Fact-Checking the Sunday Shows: November 2 |PunditFact.com |November 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

“You might want to come over and look at this,” his wife, Pat Thrasher, suddenly called out.

How Amelia's Plane Was Found |Michael Daly |October 30, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Will ye join in the toast to the emblem of Erin—the shamrock, Phil and Pat?'

The Celt and Saxon, Complete |George Meredith
Pat's lunch was below, he was hungry, and he accepted the suggestion seriously.

Jokes For All Occasions |Anonymous
By this step I obtained the first tangible justification of my suspicions against Pat.

Ten Years Among the Mail Bags |James Holbrook
"And a lot better than I deserved," said he, reaching out to pat her hand caressingly.

The Definite Object |Jeffery Farnol
But you wouldn't keep out the childher, poor little souls; an' mighty proud uv Pat they are, too.

Samba |Herbert Strang

British Dictionary definitions for pat (1 of 6)

pat ¹

/ (pæt) /

verb pats, patting or patted

to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface to pat a ball

to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc

(tr) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm

(intr) to walk or run with light footsteps

pat someone on the back informal to congratulate or encourage someone

noun

a light blow with something flat

a gentle slap

a small mass of something a pat of butter

the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps

pat on the back informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

Word Origin for pat

C14: perhaps imitative

British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 6)

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 (3 of 6)

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 (4 of 6)

Pat

/ (pæt) /

noun

an informal name for an Irishman

Word Origin for Pat

from Patrick

British Dictionary definitions for pat (5 of 6)

McCormick

/ (məˈkɔːmɪk) /

noun

Cyrus Hall. 1809–84, US inventor of the reaping machine (1831)

British Dictionary definitions for pat (6 of 6)

Nixon

/ (ˈnɪksən) /

noun

Richard M (ilhous). 1913–94, US Republican politician; 37th president from 1969 until he resigned over the Watergate scandal in 1974

Derived forms of Nixon

Nixonian (nɪkˈsəʊnɪən), adjective

Idioms and Phrases with pat

pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat

pat on the back

also see:

stand pat

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

pat

verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

verb (used without object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

noun

Idioms for pat

Origin of pat

SYNONYMS FOR pat

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

Words nearby pat

Definition for pat (2 of 7)

adjective

adverb

Origin of pat

OTHER WORDS FROM pat

Definition for pat (3 of 7)

noun

Definition for pat (4 of 7)

Definition for pat (5 of 7)

Definition for pat (6 of 7)

noun

Definition for pat (7 of 7)

noun

Words related to pat

Example sentences from the Web for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (1 of 6)

verb pats, patting or patted

noun

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 6)

adverb

adjective

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (3 of 6)

noun

Word Origin for pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (4 of 6)

noun

Word Origin for Pat

British Dictionary definitions for pat (5 of 6)

noun

British Dictionary definitions for pat (6 of 6)

noun

Derived forms of Nixon

Idioms and Phrases with pat