I. ˈpa-tərn noun
Etymology: Middle English patron, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin patronus
Date: 14th century
1. : a form or model proposed for imitation : exemplar
2. : something designed or used as a model for making things
a dressmaker's pattern
3. : an artistic, musical, literary, or mechanical design or form
4. : a natural or chance configuration
frost pattern s
the pattern of events
5. : a length of fabric sufficient for an article (as of clothing)
6.
a. : the distribution of shrapnel, bombs on a target, or shot from a shotgun
b. : the grouping made on a target by bullets
7. : a reliable sample of traits, acts, tendencies, or other observable characteristics of a person, group, or institution
a behavior pattern
spending pattern s
8.
a. : the flight path prescribed for an airplane that is coming in for a landing
b. : a prescribed route to be followed by a pass receiver in football
9. : test pattern
10. : a discernible coherent system based on the intended interrelationship of component parts
foreign policy pattern s
11. : frequent or widespread incidence
a pattern of dissent
a pattern of violence
Synonyms: see model
• pat·terned -tərnd adjective
• pat·tern·less adjective
II. verb
Date: circa 1586
transitive verb
1. dialect chiefly England
a. : match
b. : imitate
2. : to make, adapt, or fashion according to a pattern
3. : to furnish, adorn, or mark with a design
intransitive verb
: to form a pattern