/ pet; NAmE / noun , verb , adjective
■ noun
1.
an animal, a bird, etc. that you have at home for pleasure, rather than one that is kept for work or food :
Do you have any pets?
a pet dog / hamster, etc.
a family / domestic pet
pet food
a pet shop (= where animals are sold as pets)
2.
(usually disapproving ) a person who is given special attention by sb, especially in a way that seems unfair to other people
SYN favourite :
She's the teacher's pet .
3.
( BrE , informal ) used when speaking to sb to show affection or to be friendly :
What's wrong, pet?
Be a pet (= be kind) and post this letter for me.
■ verb ( -tt- )
1.
[ vn ] ( especially NAmE ) to touch or move your hand gently over an animal or a child in a kind and loving way
2.
[ v ] ( informal ) ( of two people ) to kiss and touch each other in a sexual way
—see also petting
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] that you are very interested in :
his pet subject / theory / project, etc.
—see also pet name
•
IDIOMS
- sb's pet hate
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 16th cent. (as a noun; originally Scots and northern English ): of unknown origin.