[patch] n [ME pacche] (14c) 1: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot
2: a tiny piece of black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck esp. by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty 3 a: a piece of material (as adhesive plaster) used medically usu. to cover a wound or repair a defect b: a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye
4. a: a small piece: scrap b: a part or area distinct from that about it "cabbage ~" c: a period of time: spell "was going through a rough ~"
5: a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia; esp: shoulder patch
6: a temporary connection in a communication system (as a telephone hookup) 7: a minor usu. temporary correction or modification in a computer program
[2]patch vt (15c) 1: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in
2: to provide with a patch 3 a: to make of patches or fragments b: to mend or put together esp. in hasty or shabby fashion--usu. used with up c: to make a patch in (a computer program)
4: to connect (as circuits) by a patch cord syn see mend [3]patch n [perh. by folk etymology fr. It dial. paccio] (1549): fool, dolt