pate

¹

[peyt]

noun

1. the crown or top of the head.

2. the head.

3. the brain.

pâté

²

[pah-tey, pa‑, pah-tey, pa‑]

noun

plural

pâtés 

1. French Cooking.,  a paste or spread made of puréed or finely chopped liver, meat, fish, game, etc., served as an hors d'oeuvre.

2. foie gras.

pâte

³

[paht]

noun

1. porcelain paste used in ceramic work.

pâté

¹

/ pɑte, ˈpæteɪ /

noun

1. a spread of very finely minced liver, poultry, etc, served usually as an hors d'oeuvre

2. a savoury pie of meat or fish

pate

²

/ peɪt /

noun

1. the head, esp with reference to baldness or (in facetious use) intelligence

Word History and Origins

Origin of pâté¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, of uncertain origin

Origin of pâté²

From French, dating back to 1695–1705; paste, -ee

Origin of pâté³

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “dough, batter, paste”; paste

Word History and Origins

Origin of pâté¹

from French: _paste ¹

Origin of pâté²

C14: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

The resulting mess, he said, left him with no choice but to start over with a clean pate.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hey, maybe the president will fall in love with the city over the next three years — and maybe Miller’s bald pate will grow hair worthy of Samson.

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Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich served in a baguette, typically filled with meat, pate, pickles and spicy sauces.

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I was all over his forehead and the dome of his pate.

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The bread was thin and appropriately crumbly, the pate a nice thick schmear and the jalapeño provided quite a kick.

Read more on Seattle Times