pat
pronunciation
How to pronounce pat in British English:
UK [pæt]
How to pronounce pat in American English:
US [pæt]
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- Noun:
- the sound made by a gentle blow
- a light touch or stroke
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- Verb:
- pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
- hit lightly
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- Adjective:
- having only superficial plausibility
- exactly suited to the occasion
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- Adverb:
- completely or perfectly
Word Origin
- pat (n.)
- c. 1400, "a blow, stroke," perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. Meaning "light tap with hand" is from c. 1804. Sense of "that which is formed by patting" (as in pat of butter) is 1754, probably from the verb. Pat on the back in the figurative sense attested by 1804.
- pat (adv.)
- "aptly, suitably, at the right time," 1570s, perhaps from pat (adj.) in sense of "that which hits the mark," a special use from pat (n.) in sense of "a hitting" of the mark. The modern adjective is 1630s, from the adverb.
- pat (v.)
- 1560s, "to hit, throw;" meaning "to tap or strike lightly" is from 1714; from pat (n.). Related: Patted; patting. The nursery rhyme phrase pat-a-cake is known from 1823. Alternative patty-cake (usually American English) is attested from 1794 (in "Mother Goose's Melody, or Sonnets for the Cradle," Worcester, Mass.).
- Pat
- as a fem. proper name, short for Patricia. As a masc. proper name, short for Patrick; hence a nickname for any Irishman.
Example
- 1. Rinse off with warm water , and pat dry .
- 2. Pat murakami runs a small computer repair shop and does a little political agitating on the side .
- 3. Before bed , cleanse , moisturize and pat on eye cream .
- 4. Comb his beard , pat his head , caress his arse !
- 5. He gave me a light pat on the shoulder .