pat

pat¹

/pat/, v., patted, patting, n.

v.t.

1. to strike lightly or gently with something flat, as with a paddle or the palm of the hand, usually in order to flatten, smooth, or shape: to pat dough into flat pastry forms.

2. to stroke or tap gently with the palm or fingers as an expression of affection, approbation, etc.

3. to strike (the floor, ground, etc.) with light footsteps.

v.i.

4. to strike lightly or gently.

5. to walk or run with light footsteps.

6. pat down, to pat or pass the hands over the body of (a clothed person) to detect concealed weapons, drugs, etc.

7. pat on the back, to praise, congratulate, or encourage: The boss patted him on the back for the deal he made yesterday.

n.

8. a light stroke, tap, or blow with the palm, fingers, or a flat object.

9. the sound of a light stroke or of light footsteps.

10. a small piece or mass, usually flat and square, formed by patting, cutting, etc.: a pat of butter.

11. a pat on the back, a word of praise, congratulations, or encouragement: Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then.

[1375-1425; late ME pat blow, stroke, appar. of expressive orig.]

Syn. 10. square, cake, dab.

pat²

—patness, n. —patter, n.

/pat/, adj.

1. exactly to the point or purpose; apt; opportune: a pat solution to a problem.

2. excessively glib; unconvincingly facile: His answers were too pat to suit the examining board.

3. learned, known, or mastered perfectly or exactly: to have something pat.

adv.

4. exactly or perfectly.

5. aptly; opportunely.

6. down pat. See down¹ (def. 37).

7. stand pat,

a. to cling or hold firm to one's decision, policy, or beliefs: The government must stand pat in its policy.

b. Poker. to play a hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.

[1570-80; orig. adverbial use of PAT¹, as obs. to hit pat to strike accurately]

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