pate

[ peyt ]

See synonyms for pate on Thesaurus.com

noun

the crown or top of the head.
the head.

the brain.

Origin of pate

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

Words that may be confused with pate

pate , pâte, pâté

Other definitions for pâté (2 of 3)

pâté

[ pah-tey, pa‐; French pah-tey, pa‐ ]

noun,plural pâ·tés

[pah-teyz, pa‐; French pah-tey], /pɑˈteɪz, pæ‐; French pɑˈteɪ/,

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

Origin of pâté

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

Words that may be confused with pâté

pate, pâte, pâté

Other definitions for pâte (3 of 3)

pâte

[ paht ]

noun

porcelain paste used in ceramic work.

Origin of pâte

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

Words that may be confused with pâte

pate, pâte , pâté

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pate in a sentence

That means that even gnocchi, pastries and pates are made in-house by his staff of 24, which includes 18 chefs.
Service at the Highest Level | Daily Beast Promotions | February 8, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
The flavors of pates and juicy chicken and beef adorned our tabletop.
Gal With a Suitcase: Shanghai | Jolie Hunt | January 7, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
I can't get enough of the excellent French charcuterie: terrines, pates, saucisson—oh my!
Fresh Picks | Gina DePalma | August 24, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
But their giddy young pates are so full o' dumbed nonsense that there hain't no room for scare.
Si Klegg, Book 2 (of 6) | John McElroy
Other small-pates chattered of how the divine works of nature shamed the crudities of man.
The Cup of Fury | Rupert Hughes

Back to back they fought against all odds, recking little of bleeding noses and broken pates.
Rowlandson's Oxford | A. Hamilton Gibbs
The small "pates" are ordered from the confectioner and are kept warm until needed.
Stevenson Memorial Cook Book | Various
Each school had its badge,–one pink ribbons, one green shoulder-knots, and one wreaths of pop-corn on the curly pates.
Louisa May Alcott | Louisa May Alcott

British Dictionary definitions for pate (1 of 2)

pate

/ (peɪt) /

noun

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

Origin of pate

C14: of unknown origin

British Dictionary definitions for pâté (2 of 2)

pâté

/ (ˈpæteɪ, French pɑte) /

noun

a spread of very finely minced liver, poultry, etc, served usually as an hors d'oeuvre
a savoury pie of meat or fish

Origin of pâté

from French: paste 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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