1.
Patterning is the forming of fixed ways of behaving or of doing things by constantly repeating something or copying other people. (FORMAL)
...social ~.
...the ~ of behaviour.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp
2.
You can refer to lines, spots, or other patterns as ~.
...geometric ~.
...a jazzy ~ of lights.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp