I. ˈpä-kət noun
Etymology: Middle English poket, from Anglo-French poket, pochete, diminutive of poke, pouche bag — more at pouch
Date: 15th century
1.
a. : a small bag carried by a person : purse
b. : a small bag that is sewed or inserted in a garment so that it is open at the top or side
coat pocket
2. : supply of money : means
3. : receptacle , container : as
a. : an opening at the corner or side of a billiard table
b. : a superficial pouch in some animals
4. : a small often isolated area or group
pocket s of unemployment
a. : a cavity containing a deposit (as of gold, water, or gas)
b. : air pocket
5. : a place for a batten made by sewing a strip on a sail
6.
a. : blind alley
b. : the position of a contestant in a race hemmed in by others
c. : an area formed by blockers from which a football quarterback attempts to pass
7. : the concave area at the base of the finger sections of a baseball glove or mitt in which the ball is normally caught
• pock·et·ful -ˌfu̇l noun
•
- in one's pocket
- in pocket
- out of pocket
II. transitive verb
Date: 1589
1.
a. : to put or enclose in or as if in one's pocket
pocket ed the change
b. : to appropriate to one's own use : steal
c. : to refuse assent to (a bill) by a pocket veto
2. : to put up with : accept
3. : to set aside : suppress
pocket ed his pride
4.
a. : to hem in
b. : to drive (a ball) into a pocket of a pool table
5. : to cover or supply with pockets
• pock·et·able ˈpä-kə-tə-bəl adjective
III. adjective
Date: 1612
1.
a. : small enough to be carried in the pocket
b. : small , miniature
a pocket park
2.
a. : of or relating to money
b. : carried in or paid from one's own pocket