pat
1[ pat ]
/ pæt /
verb (used with object), pat·ted, pat·ting.
verb (used without object), pat·ted, pat·ting.
to strike lightly or gently.
to walk or run with light footsteps.
noun
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Idioms for pat
Origin of pat
1First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English pat “blow, stroke,” apparently of expressive origin
OTHER WORDS FROM pat
un·pat·ted, adjectiveDefinition for pat (2 of 5)
pat2
[ pat ]
/ pæt /
adjective
exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune: a pat solution to a problem.
excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.
learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.
adverb
exactly or perfectly.
aptly; opportunely.
Origin of pat
21570–80; originally adverbial use of pat1, as obsolete to hit pat to strike accurately
OTHER WORDS FROM pat
patness, nounpatter, nounDefinition for pat (3 of 5)
Definition for pat (4 of 5)
PAT
Football. point after touchdown; points after touchdown.
Banking. preauthorized automatic transfer.
Definition for pat (5 of 5)
pat.
patent.
patented.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for pat
British Dictionary definitions for pat (1 of 4)
pat1
/ (pæt) /
verb pats, patting or patted
noun
Word Origin for pat
C14: perhaps imitative
British Dictionary definitions for pat (2 of 4)
pat2
/ (pæt) /
adverb
Also: off pat exactly or fluently memorized or masteredhe recited it pat
opportunely or aptly
stand pat
- mainly US and Canadian to 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
British Dictionary definitions for pat (3 of 4)
pat3
/ (pæt) /
noun
on one's pat Australian informal alone; on one's own
Word Origin for pat
C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone
British Dictionary definitions for pat (4 of 4)
Pat
/ (pæt) /
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
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Idioms and Phrases with pat
pat
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.