pat

[pat]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pat ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

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.

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

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

verb (used without object), pat·ted, pat·ting.

to strike lightly or gently.

to walk or run with light footsteps.

noun

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

the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.

Idioms

a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement: Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.

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

pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage: The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

Origin of pat

1375–1425; late Middle English pat blow, stroke, apparently of expressive orig.

Related formsun·pat·ted, adjective

Synonyms for pat

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR pat ON THESAURUS.COM

8. square, cake, dab.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for patting

blow, blip, pat, punch, whack, rub, caress, forge, construct, sculpt, wipe, dab, swab, fondle, coddle, cuddle, pamper, scrub, coat, knead

Examples from the Web for patting

Contemporary Examples of patting

Rain was patting the Bermuda grass, and it was the only sound for several miles.
The Death of a Rodeo Cowboy
Peter Richmond
May 11, 2014
“Good work, Banzi,” Mugianis says, patting the “sometimes” tattoo that adorns her upper back.
Hallucinating Away a Heroin Addiction
Abby Haglage
May 4, 2014
Turn the page, and there, in fresh ginghams, would be mom, baking pies with one hand while patting her towhead with the other.
Doug Kenney: The Odd Comic Genius Behind ‘Animal House’ and National Lampoon
Robert Sam Anson
March 1, 2014
Privately, Britain seems to be patting itself on the back for maintaining its own AAA rating.
S&P: Debt Downgrade Analysis Was 'Objective'
August 7, 2011
Whether all this scanning and probing and patting down is enhancing our collective security is very much in doubt.
The Media's Pat-Down Frenzy
Howard Kurtz
November 22, 2010

Historical Examples of patting

"Not now," said Phil, patting his shoulder, with imperturbable good-nature.
Malbone
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
"I think I'll stay for the meeting," said Yates, approaching him and patting the horse.
In the Midst of Alarms
Robert Barr
She bent forward and took one of his hands, patting it softly.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
The hand lifted and descended again in a patting, caressing movement.
White Fang
Jack London
In the meantime the love-master was patting White Fang and talking to him.
White Fang
Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for patting

pat

verb pats, patting or patted

to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surfaceto pat a ball

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

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

(intr) to walk or run with light footsteps

pat someone on the back informal to congratulate or encourage someone

noun

a light blow with something flat

a gentle slap

a small mass of somethinga pat of butter

the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps

pat on the back informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement

Word Origin for pat

C14: perhaps imitative

pat

adverb

Also: off pat exactly or fluently memorized or masteredhe recited it pat

opportunely or aptly

stand pat

mainly US and Canadianto refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
(in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt

adjective

exactly right for the occasion; apta pat reply

too exactly fitting; gliba pat answer to a difficult problem

exactly righta pat hand in poker

Word Origin for pat

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

pat

noun

on one's pat Australian informal alone; on one's own

Word Origin for pat

C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone

Pat

noun

an informal name for an Irishman

Word Origin for Pat

from Patrick

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

Word Origin and History for patting

pat

c.1400, "a blow, stroke," perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. Meaning "light tap with hand" is from c.1804. Sense of "that which is formed by patting" (as in pat of butter) is 1754, probably from the verb. Pat on the back in the figurative sense attested by 1804.

pat

adv.

"aptly, suitably, at the right time," 1570s, perhaps from pat (adj.) in sense of "that which hits the mark," a special use from pat (n.) in sense of "a hitting" of the mark. The modern adjective is 1630s, from the adverb.

pat

1560s, "to hit, throw;" meaning "to tap or strike lightly" is from 1714; from pat (n.). Related: Patted; patting. The nursery rhyme phrase pat-a-cake is known from 1823. Alternative patty-cake (usually American English) is attested from 1794 (in "Mother Goose's Melody, or Sonnets for the Cradle," Worcester, Mass.).

Pat

as a fem. proper name, short for Patricia. As a masc. proper name, short for Patrick; hence a nickname for any Irishman.

Idioms and Phrases with patting

pat

In addition to the idiom beginning with pat

pat on the back

also see:

stand pat