pat

¹

[pat]

verb (used with object)

patted, patting 

1. 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.

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

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

verb (used without object)

patted, patting 

1. to strike lightly or gently.

2. to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

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

2. the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

3. a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc..

   a pat of butter.

   Synonyms: dab, cake, square

pat

²

[pat]

adjective

1. exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune.

   a pat solution to a problem.

2. excessively glib; unconvincingly facile.

   His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.

3. learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly.

   to have something pat.

adverb

1. exactly or perfectly.

2. aptly; opportunely.

Pat

³

[pat]

noun

1. a male given name, form of Patrick.

2. a female given name, form of Patricia.

PAT

⁴

1. Football.,  point after touchdown; points after touchdown.

2. Banking.,  preauthorized automatic transfer.

pat.

⁵

abbreviation

1. patent.

2. patented.

pat

¹

/ pæt /

verb

1. to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface

   to pat a ball

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

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

4. (intr) to walk or run with light footsteps

5. informal,  to congratulate or encourage someone

noun

1. a light blow with something flat

2. a gentle slap

3. a small mass of something

   a pat of butter

4. the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps

5. informal,  a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

pat

²

/ pæt /

adverb

1. Also: off pat. exactly or fluently memorized or mastered

   he recited it pat

2. opportunely or aptly

3. 1. to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc

   2. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt

adjective

1. exactly right for the occasion; apt

   a pat reply

2. too exactly fitting; glib

   a pat answer to a difficult problem

3. exactly right

   a pat hand in poker

Pat

³

/ pæt /

noun

1. an informal name for an Irishman

pat

⁴

/ pæt /

noun

1. informal,  alone; on one's own

Other Word Forms

• unpatted adjective
• patness noun
• patter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pat¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pat “blow, stroke,” apparently of expressive origin

Origin of pat²

First recorded in 1570–80; originally adverbial use of pat ¹, as obsolete to hit pat “to strike accurately”

Word History and Origins

Origin of pat¹

C14: perhaps imitative

Origin of pat²

C17: perhaps adverbial use (``with a light stroke'') of _pat ¹

Origin of pat³

from Patrick

Origin of pat⁴

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement.

   Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.

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

3. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage.

   The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

4. stand pat,

   1. to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.

      The government must stand pat in its policy.

   2. Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.

5. down pat, mastered or learned perfectly: Also down cold

   If you're an actor, you have to get your lines down pat.

More idioms and phrases containing pat

• stand pat

Example Sentences

Bovino patted the agent on the back and said, “Well done.”

From Los Angeles Times

And maybe pat yourself on the back, quietly, for spotting it first.

From Salon

Sure, it was a bit pat, with everyone’s story neatly boxed up like a Thanksgiving pie.

From Los Angeles Times

On climate change, California deserves a big pat on the back for at least acknowledging the crisis and responding with big ideas.

From Los Angeles Times

Jamie looks again at Vest, who is nodding his head earnestly and patting Stone on the head.

From Los Angeles Times