pate

¹

[ peyt ]

noun

1. the crown or top of the head.
2. the head.
3. the brain.

pâté

²

[ pah-tey, pa‑; French pah-tey, pa‑ ]

noun

, plural pâ·tés [pah-, teyz, pa‑, pah-, tey],

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

pâte

³

[ paht ]

noun

1. porcelain paste used in ceramic work.

pate

¹

/ peɪt /

noun

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

pâté

²

/ pɑte; ˈpæteɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pate¹

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

Origin of pate²

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

Origin of pate³

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pate¹

C14: of unknown origin

Origin of pate²

from French: paste ¹

Example Sentences

For food writer Molly Hannon her lifelong love of pâté began when she developed a taste for it at the age of 2.

From The Daily Beast

Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pâté and refrigerate until firm.

From The Daily Beast

Although I rarely eat or crave chicken liver now, I have had the good fortune to be graced by her refined sister, the pâté.

From The Daily Beast

I remember scurrying back to the hotel, baguette in hand with the pâté tucked under my arm.

From The Daily Beast

It was upon my first visit to Florence that the chicken liver pâté quickly became a mealtime staple.

From The Daily Beast