pat

pat ¹  (pt)

v. pat·ted, pat·ting, pats

v.tr.

1.

a. To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.

b. To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.

2. To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.

v.intr.

1. To run or walk with a tapping sound.

2. To hit something or against something gently or lightly.

n.

1. A light gentle stroke or tap.

2. The sound made by a light stroke or tap or by light footsteps.

3. A small mass shaped by or as if by patting: a pat of butter.

Idiom:

pat on the back

A word or gesture of praise or approval: received a pat on the back for doing a good job.

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[From Middle English, a blow, perhaps of imitative origin.]

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pat ¹

Verb

[patting, patted]

1. to tap (someone or something) lightly with the hand

2. to shape (something) with a flat instrument or the palm of the hand

3. pat someone on the back Informal to congratulate someone

Noun

1. a gentle tap or stroke

2. a small shaped lump of something soft, such as butter

3. pat on the back Informal an indication of approval [probably imitative]

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pat ²

Adverb

1. Also: (off pat) thoroughly learned: he had all his answers off pat

2. stand pat Chiefly US & Canad to stick firmly to a belief or decision

Adjective

quick, ready, or glib: a pat generalization [perhaps adverbial use (`with a light stroke') of pat¹]

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Pat a small mass of soft substance, formed or shaped by patting.

Examples: pat of butter, 1754; of water, 1888.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	pat - the sound made by a gentle blow tap, rap sound - the sudden occurrence of an audible event; "the sound awakened them" pitter-patter - a series of rapid tapping sounds; "she missed the pitter-patter of little feet around the house"
	2.	pat - a light touch or stroke dab, tap touching, touch - the act of putting two things together with no space between them; "at his touch the room filled with lights"
Verb	1.	pat - pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin chuck caress, fondle - touch or stroke lightly in a loving or endearing manner; "He caressed her face"; "They fondled in the back seat of the taxi"
	2.	pat - hit lightly; "pat him on the shoulder" dab strike - deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon; "The teacher struck the child"; "the opponent refused to strike"; "The boxer struck the attacker dead"
Adj.	1.	pat - having only superficial plausibility; "glib promises"; "a slick commercial" glib, slick plausible - apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful; "a plausible excuse"
	2.	pat - exactly suited to the occasion; "a pat reply" appropriate - suitable for a particular person or place or condition etc; "a book not appropriate for children"; "a funeral conducted the appropriate solemnity"; "it seems that an apology is appropriate"
Adv.	1.	pat - completely or perfectly; "he has the lesson pat"; "had the system down pat"

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pat ¹

verb 1. stroke, touch, tap, pet, slap, dab, caress, fondle

noun 2. tap, stroke, slap, clap, dab, light blow

noun 3. lump, cake, portion, dab, small piece

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pat ²

adjective glib, easy, ready, smooth, automatic, slick, simplistic, facile >> off pat perfectly, precisely, exactly, flawlessly, faultlessly

Translations

pat [pæt] vt → dar una palmadita a [+ dog etc]; acariciar

n [of butter] → porción f

adj he knows it (off) pat → se lo sabe de memoria or al dedillo;

to give sb/o.s. a pat on the back (fig) → felicitar a algn/felicitarse

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pat [pæt] vt → donner une petite tape à [+ dog]; caresser

n a pat of butter → une noisette de beurre;

to give sb/o.s. a pat on the back (fig) → congratuler qn/se congratuler;

he knows it (off) pat (US);

he has it down pat → il sait cela sur le bout des doigts

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pat [pæt] vt (with hand) → tätscheln

adj [answer, remark] → glatt

n to give sb/o.s. a pat on the back (fig) → jdm/sich auf die Schulter klopfen;

he knows it off pat, he has it down pat (US) → er kennt das in- und auswendig

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pat [pæt] vt → accarezzare, dare un colpetto (affettuoso) a

n a pat of butter → un panetto di burro;

to give sb/o.s. a pat on the back (fig) → congratularsi or compiacersi con qn/se stesso;

he knows it (off) pat (US);

he has it down pat → lo conosce or sa a menadito