I. ˈpat noun
Etymology: Middle English patte, probably of imitative origin
Date: 15th century
1. : a light blow especially with the hand or a flat instrument
2. : a light tapping often rhythmical sound
3. : something (as butter) shaped into a small flat usually square individual portion
•
- pat on the back
II. adverb
Date: 1578
: in a pat manner : aptly , perfectly
has her part down pat
III. verb
( pat·ted ; pat·ting )
Date: 1591
transitive verb
1. : to strike lightly with a flat instrument
2. : to flatten, smooth, or put into place or shape with light blows
3. : to tap or stroke gently with the hand to soothe, caress, or show approval
intransitive verb
: to strike or beat gently
IV. adjective
Date: 1646
1.
a. : exactly suited to the purpose or occasion : apt
b. : suspiciously appropriate : contrived
a pat ending
2. : learned, mastered, or memorized exactly
3. : firm , unyielding
4. : reduced to a simple or mechanical form : standard , trite
pat answers
V. abbreviation
patent