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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Origin of pet

1
First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; see petty

OTHER WORDS FROM pet

pet·ta·ble, adjective

Other definitions for pet (2 of 5)

pet2
[ pet ]
/ pɛt /

noun
a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.
verb (used without object)
to be peevish; sulk.

Origin of pet

2
First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; cf. pettish

Other definitions for pet (3 of 5)

PET
[ pet ]
/ pɛt /

noun Computers, Medicine/Medical.

Origin of PET

First recorded in 1975–80

Other definitions for pet (4 of 5)

pet.

abbreviation
petroleum.

Other definitions for pet (5 of 5)

Pet.

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

MORE ABOUT PET

What does pet mean?

A pet is any animal that is tamed and trained to be kept as a companion, such as a dog or a bird.

To pet means to stroke or rub an animal’s fur or body in a cherished way.

A pet can also be a person or object that someone cherishes or indulges.

Finally, pet can describe something that is cherished, such as a pet theory.

Example: She is so extravagant that she has a big birthday party for her pet dog every year.

Where does pet come from?

The first records of the term pet come from the early 1500s. It most likely comes from the phrase petty lamb, meaning “little lamb.”

While having a pet dog might be nice, when someone calls you the teacher’s pet, they are saying you became the teacher’s favorite student in order to get special treatment. And while pet words can make language more fun, pet theories can lead to trouble if we don’t look at evidence against our theory closely enough. Looking at facts on both sides of an argument is the best way to prevent our favorite theories from making pets of us.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to pet?

  • petable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for pet?

What are some words that share a root or word element with pet

What are some words that often get used in discussing pet?

How is pet used in real life?

Pets are usually cherished and treated even better than humans in some cases.

 

Try using pet!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for pet?

A. cherished
B. disliked
C. loved
D. prefered

How to use pet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pet (1 of 4)

pet1
/ (pɛt) /

noun
a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
a person who is fondly indulged; favouriteteacher's pet
adjective
verb pets, petting or petted

Derived forms of pet

petter, noun

Word Origin for pet

C16: origin unknown

British Dictionary definitions for pet (2 of 4)

pet2
/ (pɛt) /

noun
a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique
verb pets, petting or petted
(intr) to take offence; sulk

Word Origin for pet

C16: of uncertain origin

British Dictionary definitions for pet (3 of 4)

PET

abbreviation for
positron emission tomography
n acronym for
potentially exempt transfer: a procedure in the UK whereby gifting property and cash is tax-free, provided that the donor lives for at least seven years after the gift is made

British Dictionary definitions for pet (4 of 4)

Pet.
/ Bible /

abbreviation for
Peter
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

Other Idioms and Phrases with pet

pet

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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