n.
Pronunciation: p ə - ' t ē -n ə , ' pa-t ə -n ə
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pa · ti · nas \ -n ə z \ or pa · ti · nae \ - ˌ n ē , - ˌ n ī \
Etymology: Italian, from Latin, shallow dish ― more at PATEN
Date: 1748
1 a : a usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its color b : a surface appearance of something grown beautiful especially with age or use
2 : an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character
3 : a superficial covering or exterior