I. ˈpet, usu -ed.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: perhaps back-formation from obsolete English petty small, from Middle English pety — more at petty
1.
a. : a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility
b. dialect Britain : a pet lamb
2.
a. : a pampered and usually spoiled child
b. : a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling
the spoilt pet of America's idle rich — Bernard Smith
teacher's pet
3. : something having marked popularity : current favorite
enormous buttons put together like cuff links are another … pet — Lois Long
4. South & Midland : boil , sore
II. adjective
1.
a. : kept or treated as a pet
pet dogs
b. : treated with unusual kindness or consideration : cherished, indulged
pet students
2. : expressing fondness or endearment
a pet name
3. : inspiring a special interest or liking : favorite
pet theories
pet stories
III. verb
( petted ; petted ; petting ; pets )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to make a pet of : treat as a pet
died … in the newest and largest of hospitals petted by all her nurses — Randall Jarrell
b. : to stroke in a gentle or loving manner : caress
petted the seat with his fingers as though that would mend it — John Steinbeck
c. : to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper , indulge
that a man whom he had petted and favored … should go back on him was more than he could endure — John Buchan
2. : to embrace and kiss (a member of the opposite sex) in sexual play : neck
intransitive verb
: to engage in embracing, caressing, and kissing a member of the opposite sex
a girl is … more popular with boys if she pets — Valeria H. Parker
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: origin unknown
1. : offense , umbrage
take the pet in a case of failure and go off in disgust — R.H.Elliot
2. : a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger
resigned in a pet , went off to improve his mind by travel — Time
V. intransitive verb
( petted ; petted ; petting ; pets )
: to take offense : sulk
VI. abbreviation
1. petrolatum
2. petroleum