patch

Also called skin patch, trans·der·mal patch [trans-dur-muhl pach, tranz-] /ˈtrænsˌdɜr məl ˈpætʃ, ˈtrænz-/ . an adhesive patch that applies to the skin and gradually delivers drugs or medication to the user: using a nicotine patch to try to quit smoking.

any of the pieces of cloth sewed together to form patchwork.

a small piece, scrap, or area of anything: a patch of ice on the road.

a piece or tract of land; plot.

a small field, plot, or garden, especially one in which a specific type of plant grows or is cultivated: a cabbage patch;a bean patch.

beauty spot (def. 1).

Military. a cloth emblem worn on the upper uniform sleeve to identify the military unit of the wearer.

a small organizational or affiliational emblem of cloth sewn to one's jacket, shirt, cap, etc.

a connection or hookup, as between radio circuits or telephone lines: The patch allowed shut-ins to hear the game by telephone.

a period of time characterized by some quality: he was going through a rough patch.

Computers. a small piece of code designed to be inserted into an executable program in order to fix errors in or update the program or its supporting data.

to make by joining patches or pieces together: to patch a quilt.

to settle or smooth over (a quarrel, difference, etc.) (often followed by up): They patched up their quarrel before the company arrived.

(especially in radio and telephone communications) to connect or hook up (circuits, programs, conversations, etc.) (often followed by through, into, etc.): The radio show was patched through to the ship.Patch me through to the mainland.

to update (a software program) by downloading and installing a small piece of code in order to fix errors in or update a program or its supporting data: You may need to manually patch the game to the latest version.

a district for which particular officials, such as social workers or policemen, have responsibility: he's a problem that's on your patch, John

pathol any discoloured area on the skin, mucous membranes, etc, usually being one sign of a specific disorder

med

an imitation beauty spot, esp one made of black or coloured silk, worn by both sexes, esp in the 18th century

Also called: flash US an identifying piece of fabric worn on the shoulder of a uniform, on a vehicle, etc

a small contrasting section or stretch: a patch of cloud in the blue sky

a scrap; remnant

computing a small set of instructions to correct or improve a computer program

Australian informal the insignia of a motorcycle club or gang

a bad patch a difficult or troubled time

not a patch on informal not nearly as good as

(of material) to serve as a patch to

(often foll by up) to mend hurriedly or in a makeshift way

(often foll by up) to make (up) or settle (a quarrel)

to connect (electric circuits) together temporarily by means of a patch board

(usually foll by through) to connect (a telephone call) by means of a patch board

computing to correct or improve (a program) by adding a small set of instructions