patn.1
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ I. The action of patting.† 1. A blow, a stroke, esp. with a flat or blunt implement or with the hand. Obsolete (in later use British regional and Irish English).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with something flat
clap?14..
patc1425
skelpc1440
plata1522
slat1611
slapping1632
slap1648
flop1662
smack1775
smacker1775
skelping1818
spat1823
spatting1840
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. 8841 He ȝaff hem aȝeyn suche pattis, That thei fel doun as dede cattis.
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. 16777 (MED) Sche ȝaff him certis suche a pat That doun to grounde he fel flat.
c1450 (a1400) Sir Eglamour (Calig.) (1965) l. 1262 Syr Eglamour has turned þe flatt: He gafe his sone syche a patt—To þe erthe ys he gon.
1577 T. Kendall tr. Politianus et al. Flowers of Epigrammes f. 17v Thou fearst a pat on pate, or els a whirrit on the eare.
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iv. i. 58 Hit her a pat for me there.
a1764 R. Lloyd Poet. Wks. (1774) II. 45 He..would not for the World rebuke, Beyond a pat, the school-boy Duke.
1785 W. Cowper Tirocinium in Task 309 To pitch the ball into the grounded hat, Or drive it devious with a dext'rous pat . View more context for this quotation
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words (at cited word) A pat..is..the punishment inflicted by a pedagogue on the palm of unruly boys.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. at Pat on the Poll Hares and rabbits when caught..are..killed by a pat on the poll.
a1897 T. E. Rose Christmas Rose in Coll. Poems (1900) II. 183 He gave me a pat In the face.
2.
a. A light stroke, slap, or tap with the hand, given esp. as a sign of affection or approbation. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > [noun] > light touch as token of endearment
tickc1440
love-tick1493
pat1765
love tap1829
love pat1846
1765 H. Brooke Fool of Quality (Dublin ed.) I. 62 Giving him a sweetly petulant Pat on the Cheek, ‘Away, you Rogue,’ she said, ‘I'll none of your Mockeries!’
1802 E. Forster tr. Arabian Nights II. 240 She..frequently gave him gentle pats with her hand.
1813 L. Hunt in Examiner 15 Mar. 162/1 A back-handed pat on the cheek.
1881 J. Doran Drury Lane II. 213 A pat on the head from a master's hand is the supreme delight of the ever-faithful dog.
1987 F. Wyndham Other Garden ix. 103 When we parted, he squeezed my shoulder hard and then gave it a little pat.
2001 J. Boyle Galloway Street 20 His voice has gone quiet all of a sudden and he gives me a pat on the head.
b. figurative. a pat on the back (also head): an expression of approval or congratulation.
ΚΠ
c1804 Lady Hamilton in G. Rose Diaries (1860) I. 241 Sir William..never got even a pat on the back.
1898 A. Quiller-Couch in R. L. Stevenson St. Ives 306 A word of approbation—a little pat on the back, as I may say.
1952 M. Allingham Tiger in Smoke iv. 81 He had liked the boy... The present assignment had been in the nature of a personal pat on the head for him.
1969 Listener 15 May 698/2 A pat on the back for the regional bulletin South-East.
2000 N.Y. Times Mag. 3 Dec. 94/2 Police departments are ambivalent about counseling... A cop in therapy does not get pats on the back.
3. A stroke or tap with the aim of making something flat or smooth.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > [noun] > blow struck with an object or instrument > with something flat > in order to flatten or smooth
patting1885
pat1892
1892 J. Barlow Irish Idylls iii. 62 Larry was dealing a few superfluous pats with the flat of his broad griffawn.
1904 N.E.D. at Pat sb.1 2a Give the earth a pat with your trowel.
1993 D. Weissbort Nietzsche's Attaché Case 49 The city looks into the mirror,..turns this way and that, gives its hair a pat.
II. A patting sound. Cf. pad n.5
4.
a. The sound of patting; a sound made by the light impact of something against a (usually flat) surface or object; esp. the sound of a light footstep. Also: a rhythm of footsteps; a patter.Quot. 1582 is a rare instance of a heavier impact (cf. sense 1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [noun] > tap or pat
pat1582
tap1720
tapping1786
tap-tap1840
tip-tap1892
the world > movement > rate of motion > [noun] > on foot
pacec1330
pat1833
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis 35 With an horribil hurring Pat fals thee turret.
1697 J. Collier Ess. Moral Subj. (ed. 2) i. vi. 219 The Patt of a shittle Cock.
1833 T. Hook Widow vii, in Love & Pride I. 210 Up hill and down hill..all at the same pat.
1889 M. Oliphant Poor Gentleman I. xvi. 295 No sound but..the pat of those footsteps which scarcely touched the ground.
1911 J. Muir My First Summer in Sierra 48 A slight sprinkle of rain—large drops far apart, falling with hearty pat and plash on leaves and stones.
1992 N.Y. Times 9 July a8/1 A row of village houses opens onto a courtyard bustling with the pat of bare feet.
b. With reduplication: a repeated patting sound.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [noun] > pattering or spattering
pit-a-pat1582
pit-a-pat-ationa1735
squatter1788
pattering1798
patter1822
splatter1827
pit-a-patting1844
pat1846
pitter-patter1863
spattering1866
1846 B. R. Hall Something for Every Body xxii. 92 Many would acknowledge a little pat-pat of the heart in times of supposed or real danger.
1876 J. Saunders Lion in Path xvii The peculiar wooden-sounding pat-pat of a lady's fashionable boot.
1899 A. Werner Captain of Locusts 67 The pat-pat of bare feet on the matting.
1990 P. Matthiesen Killing Mister Watson (1991) 221 I wept, and went to Walter, and he patted my shoulder, the brisk domestic pat-pat-pat that has no warmth in it.
2002 USA Today (Nexis) 1 Aug. (Sport) 8 c It's a repetitive cadence: the pat, pat of their hands entering the water; the abbreviated splash of their turns.
III. Something formed by patting.
5. A compact, flattish, mass of some soft substance (esp. butter), shaped by or as by patting.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > mass formed by collection of particles > soft
pat1651
fluff1862
1651 G. Sylvester Let. 9 Aug. in V. T. Harlow Colonising Exped. to W. Indies & Guiana (1925) 52 I wrote you formerly, yt I had sent my Brother 4 patts of white sugar.
1754 World 3 No. 83. 116 A flash of lightening which made an impression on a pat of butter.
1788 W. Cowper Let. 11 July (1982) III. 194 Liquorice powder is very proper to dust the patts [of soap and honey] with while forming it into pills.
1806 J. Beresford Miseries Human Life I. ix. 214 Trying often to harpoon a floating pat of butter.
1891 Law Times Rep. 65 562/2 Butterine..was made up into pats and sold from the retail shop.
1931 A. Uttley Country Child xi. 131 Round pats of butter, with swans and cows and wheat-ears printed upon them.
1970 A. L. Simon & R. Howe Dict. Gastron. 222/2 Eggs are poached in gravy or broth and placed..on a pat of spinach.
2000 Sci. Amer. Feb. 34/2 A pat of butter on a stove..begins to liquefy.
6. In extended use.
a. Something resembling or suggestive of a pat of butter.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > arrangement or fact of being arranged > state of being gathered together > an assemblage or collection > [noun] > mass formed by collection of particles > dense or compact > like a pat of butter
pat1888
1888 Harper's Mag. Oct. 776/1 It was raining..in torrents, with great pats of water coming over, almost like stones.
1893 R. S. Surtees Soapey Sponge's Sporting Tour (rev. ed.) xix. 93 Both volumes richly bound and lettered, with..an immense pat of arms plastered on the side.
1982 M. F. K. Fisher As They Were 164 The crisp gleaming glowing brilliance of all the lettuces and..tiny turnips and strange twists and pats and whorls of live freshness.
b. A roundish patch of dung; a cowpat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > animal body > general parts > substance or secretion and excretion > [noun] > dung
sharnc825
thostc1000
dungOE
dirta1300
croteysa1425
lessesa1425
grotesc1450
pillc1450
fumishing1527
trattles1547
fiants1575
dunging1582
dropping1596
soil1607
soiling1610
stercoration1694
pellet1884
mire1922
pat1937
scat1950
the world > animals > mammals > group Ungulata (hoofed) > group Ruminantia (sheep, goats, cows, etc.) > cow > [noun] > dung
cow-turdc1485
shard1542
cow-shard1579
cow-sharn1622
cow-dung1626
cow-clot1710
cow-dab1785
cow-flop1847
pad1895
pat1937
cow-pad1941
cow-pat1954
patty1960
cow-clap-
cow-plat-
1937 F. Sargeson in Tomorrow 6 Jan. He said it made his feet feel bosker and warm. So we all stuck our feet into cow-pats, and after walking over the frost it was bosker and warm sure enough.
1940 F. Sargeson Man & Wife (1944) 22 Whenever a cow dropped a nice big pat we'd race for it.
1957 V. Nabokov Pnin iii. 63 The bright pat of dog dirt somebody had already slipped upon.
1991 N.Y. Times 10 Dec. c1/4 Dung beetles..will converge on a single large pat of dung as soon as it is laid.
2002 I. Knight Don't you want Me? vii. 80 [I am] smeared with cow-coloured paint, so that it looks like I've been rolling happily in russet-coloured pats.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
Patn.2
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ slang (frequently derogatory). Now rare.
An Irish person. Cf. paddy n.2, Patlander n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > people > nations > native or inhabitant of Europe > the Irish > [noun] > native or inhabitant of Ireland
IrishmanOE
Ireis1297
hooded mana1464
Mac1518
Irish1553
Teague?1661
bog-trotter1682
Milesian1682
dear joy1688
Teaguelander1689
paddy1714
bog-lander1736
bog-stalkera1758
brogueneer1758
paddywhack1773
Pat1796
West Briton1805
Irisher1807
Patlander1820
Greek1823
Mick1850
redneck1852
Grecian1853
mickeyc1854
Mike1859
harp1904
1796 T. W. Tone Diary 23 Mar. in Writings (2009) II. 124 When Pat's heart is a little soft with love and wine..it would not be very hard to persuade him to take a trip over once more to Ireland, just to see his people.
1806 Port Folio 11 Oct. 221/2 A company of honest Pats in the purlieus of St. Giles's.
1825 W. Scott Let. 31 July (1935) IX. 197 The habit of the more youthful Pats and Patesses is decent and comely.
1884 Jrnl. Solomon Sidesplitter 68 A Pat, an odd joker, and Yankee, more sly, Once riding together, a gibbet pass'd by.
1942 L. V. Berrey & M. Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Slang §100/9 Irishman,..Paddywhack, Pat, Patlander, [etc.].
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
patn.3
/pɑːt/, U.S. /pɑt/ Indian English. Now rare.
Jute.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > materials > raw material > plants, grasses, or reeds > [noun] > vegetable fibre > jute
jute1746
pat1801
1801 Trans. Soc. Arts 19 235 Specimen of Paper from Paut fibre.
1801 Trans. Soc. Arts 19 240 Paut is known in India and has been sent to Europe, by the name of jute.
1881 Encycl. Brit. XIII. 798/2 Importations of the substance [sc. jute] had been made at earlier times under the name of pát, an East Indian native term by which the fibre continued to be spoken of in England till the early years of the 19th century.
1926 Geogr. Jrnl. 68 83 It is most unlikely that jute (pat) was used at Vengurla in those days.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
patn.4
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/, Australian English /pæt/, New Zealand English /pɛt/ slang (originally and chiefly Australian).
In on one's pat: on one's own, alone.
ΚΠ
1908 Austral. Mag. 1 Nov. 1251 ‘On my own’ (by myself) became ‘on my Pat Malone’ and subsequently ‘on my Pat’ a very general expression nowadays.
1930 Bulletin (Sydney) 12 Mar. 47/1 On your pat now, aren't you? When did the old man go away?
1966 ‘L. Lane’ ABZ of Scouse 110 On me tod, by myself. An alternative phrase is on me pat.
1978 R. H. Conquest Dusty Distances 10 He rode, on his pat, close on 800 miles.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
patn.5
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ U.S. regional (north-eastern) Shooting slang.
The ruffed grouse, Bonasa umbellus; = partridge n. 1b(a).
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > family Tetraonidae (grouse) > [noun] > genus Bonasa > bonasa umbellus (ruffled grouse)
partridge1578
pheasant1766
birch partridge1823
white flesher1827
ruffled grouse1850
willow grouse1850
pat1933
1933 S. E. White Dog Days 29 When the ‘pat’, as he was always known in affectionate diminution of the local ‘partridge’, flushed, he did so under full pressure from the very start.
1958 Field & Stream Dec. 96/3 There are purist pat hunters who swear that a dog is excess baggage in grouse thickets.
1980 Outdoor Life (U.S.) Oct. (Northeast ed.) 51/2 If you shoot at a flushed pat, you have a responsibility to follow it up.
1999 Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) (Nexis) 31 Jan. 13 c Also called a partridge or pat in the New England states and Old Ruff by its closest of friends, no other bird launches itself with such a rapid and noisy beat of the wings.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
patv.1
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ 1. † a. transitive. To hit or strike (a person or thing) with a flat or blunt implement or with the hand. Obsolete (in later use British regional).In later use, perhaps an ironical use of sense 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > strike with an object > with something flat
platOE
skelpa1400
flapc1440
pat1533
slap1632
spatc1832
smack1835
paddle1847
1533 T. More 2nd Pt. Confut. Tyndals Answere viii. p. cccccxxii Now whan thys offycer hadde comen wyth hys stycke and patted them vppon the pates.
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lx. 158 Yet as the giantes pawes pat downe dandipratts, So shall we put downe these dandiprat brag bratts.
1591 R. Turnbull Expos. Epist. St. Iames f. 196 Thus was the pryde of Goliah resisted, when..David..with his sling stone patted him on the pate.
a1604 M. Hanmer Chron. Ireland 166 in J. Ware Two Hist. Ireland (1633) One takes a sticke, and pats the Irish man on the pate, another..pricks him behinde with a pinne.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. Pat on the poll, to kill by a blow such as would dislocate the neck.
b. transitive. To propel (a ball) with a stroke of the hand.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > impel or drive [verb (transitive)] > by impact or force > by striking or beating > with a flat object
pata1825
a1825 Jew's Daughter i, in F. J. Child Eng. & Sc. Pop. Ballads (1888) III. v. 251/1 And all the boys and girls to-day Do play at pat the ball.
1966 G. Greene Comedians iii. ii. 245 It was fun so long as with great agility one patted the balls around.
2002 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 2 Dec. 2 The goalkeeper patted the ball, right-handed, over his crossbar.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impelling or driving > projecting through space or throwing > throw [verb (transitive)] > so as to impinge on something
pat1567
repose1582
inject1599
flap1877
project1936
1567 A. Golding tr. Ovid Metamorphosis (new ed.) xii. f. 155 Like haylestones from a tyled house, or as a man should pat Small stones vppon a dromslets head.
3. † b. transitive. Brickmaking. To take the rough edge off (an unfired brick) with a stamper. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To strike (something) lightly with the hand or a flat surface, so as to flatten, smooth, shape, or rearrange; to flatten down in such a way.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > shape > flatness or levelness > make flat or level [verb (transitive)] > with the hand or an instrument
strikec1000
clap1550
pat1583
hand-wave1641
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific thing > strike with specific thing [verb (transitive)] > strike with an object > with something flat > so as to flatten or smooth
clap1550
pat1583
1583 P. Stubbes Second Pt. Anat. Abuses sig. F4v [Their ruffs are] dryed with great diligence, streaked, patted and rubbed very nicely.
1607 T. Walkington Optick Glasse sig. K1v The hyacinth or violet patted downe to th'earth with suddaine drops of raine.
1678 J. Worlidge Vinetum Britannicum (ed. 2) 68 Cover the loose ground about the Tree, and pat it smooth with the back of your Spade.
1698 T. D'Urfey Campaigners 19 Pat a cake pat a cake Bakers man, so I will master as I can.
1797 J. Jackson Jrnl. 29 June in Journey from India (1799) 51 After they have kneaded the cake..they pat it a little.
1874 T. Hardy Far from Madding Crowd I. i. 8 She did not adjust her hat, or pat her hair, or press a dimple into shape.
1914 S. Lewis Our Mr. Wrenn viii. 105 He learned how to pat the butter into the comfortable brown insides of the muffins.
1976 N. Botham & P. Donnelly Valentino iv. 35 Rodolpho reached up a hand to pat his patent leather hair into place.
2000 J. Sullivan Mermaid in J. Thomas Catwomen from Hell 104 Together, man and child completed the figure, heaping and patting into place the curve of the tail.
ΚΠ
1895 I. K. Funk et al. Standard Dict. Eng. Lang. II. Pat, Brickmaking. To remove the rough edge of (green bricks) with a stamper.
c. transitive. Originally U.S. to pat down: to frisk (a person).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > search for or seek [verb (transitive)] > search (a person)
ransacka1325
search1474
frisk1789
to rub down1825
grope1837
to run the rule over1865
fan1927
to pat down1943
screen1951
1943 Atlanta Daily World 17 Mar. 6/2 Officer Nash said he patted Wilson down, searching for a weapon and found a big 45-calibre pistol.
1953 Washington Post 16 Oct. 29/7 Ryan explained that juvenile officers do not make a thorough search of a juvenile's person but do ‘pat them down or frisk them’.
1974 Sunday (Charleston, S. Carolina) 21 Apr. 12- a/1 He allegedly found several drugs on Hoats after patting him down for a weapon.
1997 C. Brookmyre Country of Blind (2001) xii. 332 He knelt beside the man, patting him down and removing some keys that were attached to a belt-loop.
d. transitive. to pat dry: to dry by dabbing gently with a piece of absorbent material.
ΚΠ
1971 Gourmet Feb. 26/3 Shell and devein 1 1/2 pounds prawns or large shrimps and pat them dry with paper towels.
1995 R. Gray & R. Rogers River Cafe Cook Bk. (1996) v. 197 Take the pieces of salt cod out of the water, pat and squeeze dry with a clean cloth.
2001 Austral. Gourmet Traveller Aug. 59/2 Thinly slice scrubbed jerusalem artichokes and pat dry on absorbent paper.
4.
a. intransitive. To tap or beat lightly (upon a surface); to make a light tapping sound; spec. to walk or run with light footsteps. Also reduplicated. Cf. pad v.1 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > impact > striking > striking with specific degree of force > strike with specific degree of force [verb (intransitive)] > lightly
tapc1425
strike1488
tick1546
pat1601
dib1869
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > lightly
trip?a1400
tripplea1640
link1718
tap1749
pat1767
tip1819
flip1862
light-foot1887
soft-foot1913
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sound of blow or fall > [verb (intransitive)] > pat or tap
tapc1425
pat1767
tap-tap1922
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xii. i. 358 To heare the showers of raine to pat drop by drop, and rattle over his head upon the leaves.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §63 It is Childrens sport, to proue whether they can rub vpon their Brest with one hand, and pat vpon their Fore-head with another.
1729 Wood's Voy. 96 A little creature with a bushy tail..stands vapouring and patting with his fore feet upon the ground.
1767 E. Jerningham Alisia in Poems 29 She fondly cried—Oh that is he! While patted fast her heart.
1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress (ed. 2) IV. 91 It makes a body shiver to hear you pat-patting in those tiny slippers.
1861 G. F. Berkeley Eng. Sportsman xxi. 349 Asked them who could ‘pat’ as an accompaniment to a dance and song.
1902 J. S. Phillimore Poems 61 On dusty road and tree Drops, kicking up the faint smells where they pat.
1967 M. Ayrton Maze Maker xxix. 141 On my knees I crept about in the tunnel patting at the ground.
2000 Evening Standard (Nexis) 2 Nov. 55 Heads were nodding and feet were patting, but between polite bursts of applause for the soloists there was pin-drop silence.
b. transitive. To tap or beat lightly; to make a tapping sound on (a surface, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > tread lightly
overtripa1583
pat1703
trip1749
light-foot1887
soft-foot1912
1703 W. Dampier Voy. New Holland iii. 97 As they fly..they pat the Water alternately with their Feet.
1798 W. S. Landor Gebir vii. 205 When ye heard My feet in childhood pat the palace-floor.
1846 E. M. Sewell Laneton Parsonage xii. 157 Lady Catherine patted her umbrella on the floor, and coughed several times.
1957 M. Spark Comforters vii. 171 A light rain had started to pat the windows.
2001 Sunday Tel. (Sydney) (Nexis) 27 May 21 We use signals such as patting the ground and whispering words because they are easy.
5. transitive. To strike or tap lightly with the open hand or the fingertips, as a sign of congratulation, encouragement, sympathy, etc., and (with an animal as object) showing affection and affirmation. Hence: (figurative) to pat on the back: to congratulate or express approval of (a person).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > action of caressing > caress [verb (transitive)] > touch gently with fingers
pat1714
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > commend or praise [verb (transitive)] > pat on back
clapa1533
to pat on the back1821
1671 J. Dryden Evening's Love ii. 14 We love to get our Mistresses..and then let 'em go a little way; and..to pat 'em back again.]
1714 J. Byrom Phœbe v, in Spectator No. 603 Phœbe..to my dog said, Come hither, poor Fellow, and patted his Head.
1783 Ld. Bulkeley Let. 18 Feb. in Duke of Buckingham Mem. Court & Cabinets George III (1853) I. 155 My good father-in-law..is patted on the back by George Byng, Plummer, &c., for the noble, disinterested part he takes.
1821 M. Edgeworth Let. 18 Nov. (1971) 270 Sydney Smith who wrote the review..first patted his friend Holford on the back and then cut him up.
1856 ‘Stonehenge’ Man. Brit. Rural Sports 33/1 Before the birds are sprung, he should pat and encourage the dog.
1874 J. R. Green Short Hist. Eng. People vii. §3. 363 She patted handsome young squires on the neck when they knelt to kiss her hand.
1926 J. Devanny Butcher Shop xv. 171 The bay foal..allowed Margaret to pat it, and nosed into Glengarry's hand.
1973 Washington Post 13 Jan. B 8/6 ‘We broke our arm, trying to pat ourselves on the back,’ is the way Wood now describes the ad.
2000 A. Bourdain Kitchen Confid. (2001) 109 People smiled and patted me on the back when I came to work in the morning.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† patv.2
Obsolete.
transitive. To produce (an answer) pat.Apparently an isolated use.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > answer > answer [verb (transitive)] > sharply
returna1500
reply1526
snap1550
pat1575
retort1597
regyre1606
regest1614
retaliate1632
snap1647
repartee1677
riposte1823
to shoot back1974
1575 R. B. Apius & Virginia sig. Biv Mansipilus: By the Gods how vngraciously the vicksen she chatteth. Mansipula: And he euen as knauishly, my answer he patteth.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
patadv.1adj.
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ A. adv.1 Usually as complement of the verb.
In a manner that exactly fits the purpose or occasion; appositely, opportunely, readily, promptly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > relevance or pertinence > [adverb]
to (the) purposea1387
pertinentlyc1425
to the matter1534
relevantly1536
pat1578
effectually1581
germanely1823
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adverb] > appositely
feelinglya1382
pertinentlyc1425
happily?1504
aptlya1529
punctually1570
pat1578
to scopea1616
appositely1633
apropos1668
felicitously1828
1578 G. Whetstone Promos & Cassandra: 1st Pt. iv. vi. sig. Eiv I chaunst to light on one, Hyt me as pat as a pudding Pope Ione.
?1589 T. Nashe Almond for Parrat sig. 6v Haue not I hit your meaning patte in this comparison?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Hamlet (1623) iii. iii. 73 Now might I do it pat, now he is praying.
1666 S. Pepys Diary 20 Feb. (1972) VII. 49 I came just pat to be a godfather.
1709 T. D'Urfey Mod. Prophets i. i. 7 And this and that and t'other, all things went so pat methought all the rest of the Day.
1733 J. Swift On Poetry 6 And here a Simile comes Pat in.
1818 Ld. Byron Beppo xli. 21 With syllables which breathe of the sweet South, And gentle liquids gliding all so pat in.
1837 E. Fitzgerald Let. 5 Apr. in G. N. Ray Lett. W. M. Thackeray (1945) I. 335 Shall I then to hell go pat, Or fly away to happier spots?
1908 A. S. M. Hutchinson Once aboard Lugger iii. iii. 112 This poor George of mine, who was no deep thinker, nevertheless had the reason pat.
1959 A. Sillitoe Loneliness of Long-distance Runner 46 Now my thoughts are coming pat and the only trouble is I often can't stop.
1988 New Yorker 25 Apr. 64/2 His answer comes pat.
B. adj.
1.
a. In predicative use: exactly suitable or fitting to a purpose, person, etc. Now rare (in later use chiefly Irish English).
ΚΠ
1631 J. Mabbe in tr. F. de Rojas Spanish Bawd Ep. Ded. sig. A4 [We] commend the Authors iudgement in expressing his Argument so fit and pat to their dispositions.
1638 Bp. J. Wilkins Discov. New World (1707) v. 41 Whose Words are more pat to the purpose.
a1663 R. Sanderson Ad Clerum (1670) 2 A passage..very pat to his purpose.
1710 in T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. 7 Mar. (1886) II. 355 A Mitre may be pat to his Mind.
1728 J. Gay Beggar's Opera 75 If you mention Vice or Bribe, 'Tis so pat to all the Tribe.
1768 I. Bickerstaff Padlock ii. 31 Me have a fable pat as she, Which wid dis matter will agree.
1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. II. 124 To tell a rather broad story out of Joe Miller, that was pat to the purpose.
1895 J. Barlow Strangers at Lisconnel 12 The saying ‘as pat as thievin' to a tinker’ is probably quoted among us as much as any other.
1925 Cent. Mag. Jan. Insert 432–3 (advt.) He has done it again, pat to our craving.
b. attributive. Apt, apposite; ready or suitable for the occasion; opportune.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > expediency > [adjective] > opportune or convenient
opportunec1425
commodious1542
time-serving1627
pat1647
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > apt or apposite
happya1400
germanea1525
conferent?1541
well-applieda1586
nicking1598
apt1600
punctual1609
apposite1621
collineant1638
pat1647
apropos1691
felicitous1789
treffend1850
bang on1936
1647 H. More To Young Authour in J. Hall Poems sig. A5 With phansies queint and gay expressions pat.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 47 Concerning..these Winds, perhaps some others may give patter Guesses than my self.
1788 W. Cowper Pity Poor Afr. 18 A story so pat, you may think it is coined.
1852 W. M. Thackeray Henry Esmond III. ii. 59 Backing his opinion with a score of pat sentences from Greek and Roman authorities.
1895 Argosy Nov. 130/1 At this pat application of a variety stage joke, the features of his inquisitor relaxed.
1953 C. Beaton Diary in Self Portrait with Friends (1979) xviii. 250 This gave me the pat opportunity to ask if I might be allowed to take some pictures of the new Queen.
2. Esp. of words: prompt, well-rehearsed or memorized. Hence: (with negative connotation) glib, facile, unconsidered. rare before 20th cent. (now the dominant sense).
ΚΠ
a1693 M. Bruce Good News in Evil Times (1707) 31 They bring to Christ's Grave..a number of old Clampers, pat and clouted Arguments.
1901 G. B. Shaw Three Plays for Puritans Pref. p. xx The pat retort to this thoughtless comparison is that the painter invariably does so label his pictures.
1930 W. Empson Seven Types Ambiguity i. 27 Of course, these pat little theories are ridiculously simple.
1971 B. Graham Spy Trap ii. 19 It was too pat, too smug, like a well-turned-out radio script. It didn't sit.
1992 Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times Sunday Weekly 19 Jan. 9/2 It's easy to swear off superficial reporting... But the inclination is to revert to pat formulas.
Phrases
P1. to have (a story, routine, etc.) (off, down) pat: to be able to recite or perform readily and faultlessly from memory; (also, depreciatively) to repeat glibly, to parrot.
ΚΠ
1776 J. Leacock Fall Brit. Tyranny iv. vi. 50 It's a pity but you were a bishop, you have the scriptures so pat.
1795 H. Cowley Town before You Pref. p. xiii I'll tell a story—and I have one pat.
1839 N. P. Willis Two Ways of Dying for Husband iv. i. 101 First Lord: What mean you, sir! Tortesa: To keep you here till you have got your story Pat to the tongue.
1882 C. E. L. Riddell Prince of Wales's Garden Party 259 He..had the whole story pat enough.
1890 B. Stoker Snake's Pass vii. 87 You seem to have it all off pat!
1899 C. L. Cullen Tales of Ex-tanks 296 Got it down pretty pat, hasn't he?
1950 A. Buckeridge Jennings goes to School ix. 172 If anyone asks me if I know where you're playing..I'll have the answer off pat.
1971 Creem May 74 Sir Lord Baltimore seems to have down pat most all the best heavy metal tricks in the book.
2002 Guardian 28 June (Friday Review section) 17/3 [The song shows] the woozy, gentle melodicism that Morcheeba now have down pat.
P2. Originally and chiefly U.S. to stand pat. [Compare stand v. 14 and pat hand n. at Compounds.]
a. Cards. In poker and blackjack: to retain one's hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.
ΚΠ
1865 Evening Argus (Rock Island, Illinois) 8 Sept. Before the draw, both bet all the money they had and all the rest had drawn out; both stood pat.
1882 Poker; how to play it 12 The gentleman..failed to better his hand. The other stood pat.
2002 A. Bellin Poker Nation v. 92 You make the largest bet or raise as the game allows, and then when the draw comes, you stand pat.
b. To adhere to an existing state of things or to an avowed policy or stance, refusing to consider proposals for change or reform.
ΚΠ
1869 Montana Post 2 Apr. 1/1 We adopt the Major's policy in an Indian muss—‘Stand Pat and holler “how”’.
1902 M. A. Hanna in N.Y. Times 28 Sept. ii. 13/3 To-day I say: ‘Stand pat.’ You are not on the defensive in Ohio.
2004 Daily Tel. 6 Jan. 23/1 Syria seems content to stand pat in the expectation that others will come round to its way of thinking.
Compounds
pat hand n. Poker a hand which is of sufficient value to play as it is dealt, without needing to draw from the pack; also figurative (chiefly U.S.).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > poker > [noun] > type of hand
two bullets and a bragger1807
full1843
full hand1846
pat hand1865
blind hand1872
full house1879
blaze1880
tiger1889
kilter1895
drawing hand1910
bust1932
made hand1974
1865 G. M. Evans How Gamblers Win 43 As a general thing, ‘pat hands’, that is, hands which fall complete without drawing (as flushes, fulls, or four of a kind)—should be avoided, as they tend to excite suspicion.
1889 J. S. Farmer Americanisms 411/2 Pat Hand, (in poker) an original hand not likely to be improved by drawing.
1903 Architect 24 Apr. (Suppl.) 28/2 Anybody's liable to play a pat hand too strong.
1994 Denver Post 18 Sept. b2/5 It is the owners who definitely hold the pat hand in this ugly game of financial poker.
2003 Caribbean Today (Nexis) Mar. 14 24 Judging by Arena's grin he may be sitting with a pat hand.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
patint.adv.2
/pat/, U.S. /pæt/ Representing a patting sound; with a pat. Frequently reduplicated. Also (occasionally) as adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > repeated sound or succession of sounds > [interjection] > sound of footsteps
pat1681
tantivy1697
1681 T. Otway Souldiers Fortune v. i. 58 What's that upon the stairs?..hist, heark, pat, pat, pat.
1703 G. Farquhar Twin-rivals iv. 44 What hears me I—but pat, pat, pat very softly at the Door.
1802 R. Bloomfield Rural Tales 66 Still on, pat, pat, the Goblin went, As it had done before.
1830 O. W. Holmes Spectre Pig in Collegian May 182 Little mincing feet were heard, Pat, pat along the floor.
1918 W. M. Kirkland Joys of being Woman vi. 64 A Man..pursues me,—pat, pat, pat.
1996 Sunday Tel. 13 Oct. (Review section) 14/4 Ferdinand Mount's sentences have a hypnotic rhythm, lobbed to and fro as in a gentle game of doubles, pat, pat.
2003 Today's Parent (Nexis) May Thump. Pat-pat-pat-pat. Gary sighs. They both know what those sounds mean. ‘Judah, go back to bed.’
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2005; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
n.1c1425
n.21796
n.31801n.41908n.51933v.11533
v.21575adv.1adj.1578int.adv.21681