PAT
abbr. point after touchdown
pat 1
(păt)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. See Synonyms at
caress.
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 An expression or gesture of praise or approval: Let's give them a pat on the back for doing a good job.
[From Middle English, a blow, perhaps of imitative origin.]
pat 2
(păt)adj.1. a. Suitable; fitting: "Suggestions about her reasons for going are made indirectly, lightly and ambiguously; no pat explanation is offered" (Janna Malamud Smith).
b. Fitting or satisfactory in a superficial or contrived way, especially in being trite or glib: "The dialogue is sometimes stilted and the ending too pat" (Leonard Malkin).
2. Games Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.
adv. Informal Readily or perfectly as a result of memorization or familiarization: They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat.
pat′ly adv.
pat′ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
pat
(pæt) vb,
pats,
patting or patted1. to hit (something) lightly with the palm of the hand or some other flat surface: to pat a ball.
2. to slap (a person or animal) gently, esp on the back, as an expression of affection, congratulation, etc
3. (tr) to shape, smooth, etc, with a flat instrument or the palm
4. (intr) to walk or run with light footsteps
5. pat someone on the back informal to congratulate or encourage someone
n6. a light blow with something flat
7. a gentle slap
8. a small mass of something: a pat of butter.
9. the sound made by a light stroke or light footsteps
10. pat on the back informal a gesture or word indicating approval or encouragement
[C14: perhaps imitative]
pat
(pæt) adv1. Also: off pat exactly or fluently memorized or mastered: he recited it pat.
2. opportunely or aptly
3. stand pat a. chiefly US and Canadian to refuse to abandon a belief, decision, etc
b. (in poker, etc) to play without adding new cards to the hand dealt
adj4. exactly right for the occasion; apt: a pat reply.
5. too exactly fitting; glib: a pat answer to a difficult problem.
6. (Card Games) exactly right: a pat hand in poker.
[C17: perhaps adverbial use ("with a light stroke") of pat1]
pat
(pæt) non one's pat informal Austral alone; on one's own
[C20: rhyming slang, from Pat Malone]
Pat
(pæt) n (Peoples) an informal name for an Irishman
[from Patrick]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
pat1
(pæt)
v. pat•ted, pat•ting,
n. v.t. 1. to strike lightly, as with the hand or a small object.
2. to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.
v.i. 3. to strike lightly or gently.
4. to walk or run with light footsteps.
n. 5. a light stroke, tap, or blow, as with the hand.
6. the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.
7. a small piece, usu. flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.
Idioms: pat on the back, praise, congratulations, or encouragement.
[1375–1425; late Middle English, blow, stroke]
pat2
(pæt)
adj. 1. exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune.
2. excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: pat answers.
3. learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.
adv. 4. exactly or perfectly.
5. aptly; opportunely.
Idioms: stand pat, a. to cling firmly to one's decision, policy, or beliefs.
b. (in draw poker) to play a hand as dealt, without replacing any cards.
[1570–80; orig. adverbial use of
pat1, as in obsolete
to hit pat to strike accurately]
pat′ness, n.
pat.
1. patent.
2. patented.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.