pattern [pat -ern; British pat -n]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for pattern on Thesaurus.com a decorative design, as for wallpaper, china, or textile fabrics, etc. decoration or ornament having such a design. a natural or chance marking, configuration, or design: patterns of frost on the window. a distinctive style, model, or form: a new pattern of army helmet. a combination of qualities, acts, tendencies, etc., forming a consistent or characteristic arrangement: the behavior patterns of teenagers. an original or model considered for or deserving of imitation: Our constitution has been a pattern for those of many new republics. anything fashioned or designed to serve as a model or guide for something to be made: a paper pattern for a dress. a sufficient quantity of material for making a garment. the path of flight established for an aircraft approaching an airport at which it is to land. a diagram of lines transmitted occasionally by a television station to aid in adjusting receiving sets; test pattern. Metallurgy a model or form, usually of wood or metal, used for giving the shape of the interior of a mold. Numismatics a coin, either the redesign of an existing piece or the model for a new one, submitted for authorization as a regular issue. an example, instance, sample, or specimen. Gunnery , Aerial Bombing the distribution of strikes around a target at which artillery rounds have been fired or on which bombs have been dropped. a diagram showing such distribution. Show More
to make or fashion after or according to a pattern. to cover or mark with a pattern. Chiefly British Dialect to imitate. to attempt to match or duplicate. Show More
verb (used without object) to make or fall into a pattern. Show More
Origin of pattern 1325–75; Middle English patron <
Medieval Latin patrōnus model, special use of
Latin patrōnus patron Related forms pat·tern·a·ble , adjective pat·terned , adjective pat·tern·er , noun pat·tern·less , adjective pat·tern·like , adjective pat·tern·y , adjective non·pat·terned , adjective re·pat·tern , verb (used with object) sem·i·pat·terned , adjective sub·pat·tern , noun un·pat·terned , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for patterns arrangement ,
sort ,
style ,
sequence ,
variety ,
system ,
method ,
shape ,
type ,
kind ,
standard ,
trim ,
motive ,
diagram ,
figure ,
impression ,
instruction ,
ornament ,
guide ,
decoration Examples from the Web for patterns Contemporary Examples of patterns But he resembled by then an ancient Red Indian chief, and his expressions did not follow the patterns of other mortals.
By the time the police caught up to Sanders, they knew even more about his patterns and practices.
Over time, the patterns of gunplay and stabbings reminded Slutkin of the diseases crossing rural Africa.
Patterns are created in house, and then the tailors take them home to complete.
A scarf and bag in contrasting shades and patterns enhanced this busy, but feminine, look.
Historical Examples of patterns The Germans use a greater variety of patterns than any other nation.
He tells me of the patterns bespoken which my mother mentioned to me.'
There is something d——d low in cutting about the country with patterns in a bag.'
The Darwinian thread is worked into a hundred patterns along with other threads.
Without direct evidence, we cannot assign a meaning to the patterns .
British Dictionary definitions for patterns an arrangement of repeated or corresponding parts, decorative motifs, etc although the notes seemed random, a careful listener could detect a pattern a decorative design a paisley pattern a style various patterns of cutlery a plan or diagram used as a guide in making something a paper pattern for a dress a standard way of moving, acting, etc traffic patterns a model worthy of imitation a pattern of kindness a representative sample a wooden or metal shape or model used in a foundry to make a mould the arrangement of marks made in a target by bullets a diagram displaying such an arrangement Show More
(often foll by after or on ) to model to arrange as or decorate with a pattern Show More
Word Origin for pattern C14 patron, from Medieval Latin patrōnus example, from Latin: patron 1
Irish an outdoor assembly with religious practices, traders' stalls, etc on the feast day of a patron saint Show More
Word Origin for pattern C18: variant of patron 1 ; see pattern 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for patterns n. early 14c., "outline, plan, model, pattern;" early 15c. as "model of behavior, exemplar," from Old French patron and directly from Medieval Latin patronus (see patron ).
Extended sense of "decorative design" first recorded 1580s, from earlier sense of a "patron" as a model to be imitated. The difference in form and sense between patron and pattern wasn't firm till 1700s. Meaning "model or design in dressmaking" (especially one of paper) is first recorded 1792, in Jane Austen.
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v. 1580s, "to make a pattern for, design, plan," from pattern (n.). Meaning "to make something after a pattern" is c.1600. Phrase pattern after "take as a model" is from 1878.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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