[pat.tern] n [ME patron, fr. MF, fr. ML patronus] (14c) 1: a form or model proposed for imitation: exemplar
2: something designed or used as a model for making things "a dressmaker's ~"
3: a model for making a mold into which molten metal is poured to form a casting
4: an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical design or form
5: a natural or chance configuration "frost ~" "the ~ of events"
6: a length of fabric sufficient for an article (as of clothing)
7. a: the distribution of shrapnel, bombs on a target, or shot from a shotgun b: the grouping made on a target by bullets 8: a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution "behavior ~" "spending ~"
9. a: the flight path prescribed for an airplane that is coming in for a landing b: a prescribed route to be followed by a pass receiver in football 10: test pattern 11: a discernible coherent system based on the intended interrelationship of component parts "foreign policy ~s" 12: frequent or widespread incidence "a ~ of dissent" syn see model -- pat.terned adj -- pat.tern.less adj
[2]pattern vt (ca. 1586) 1 dial chiefly Eng a: match b: imitate
2: to make, adapt, or fashion according to a pattern
3: to furnish, adorn, or mark with a design ~ vi: to form a pattern