v. 1 tap, touch, dab, pet, stroke, caress Being short, he hated it when people affectionately patted him on the head Pat down the coverlet to smooth out the wrinkles. 2 pat on the back. congratulate, commend, praise, compliment, encourage, reassure The sales manager patted me on the back for clinching the contract
n. 3 tap, touch, dab, stroke, caress Give the dog a pat and he'll leave you alone 4 (small) piece, patty, lump, cake, portion; patty The waiter put a pat of butter on my plate 5 pat on the back. commendation, praise, compliment, flattery, encouragement, credit, reassurance, approval, endorsement, recognition; honeyed words I was expecting a big bonus, but all I got was a pat on the back