pat

The definition of a pat is a light gentle tap.

(noun)

An example of a pat is tapping your friend on the back with your hand to tell them they did a good job.

See pat in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

apt; timely; opportune
exactly suitable
so glibly plausible as to seem contrived
designating a poker hand to which no cards are drawn because of the unlikelihood of improving it

Origin: prob. < pat

adverb

in a pat manner

Related Forms:

noun

Origin: ME patte, prob. echoic

transitive verb patted, patting

1. to tap, touch, or stroke quickly or gently, esp. with the hand, as in affection, sympathy, or encouragement
2. to tap or stroke lightly with something flat
to flatten, shape, apply, etc. by patting

intransitive verb

☆

Origin: p(oint) a(fter) t(ouchdown)

conversion (sense )

See pat in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb pat·ted, pat·ting, pats

verb, transitive

a. To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.
b. To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.
To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.

verb, intransitive

noun

Origin:

Origin: From Middle English, a blow

Origin: , perhaps of imitative origin

adjective

Trite or glib; superficially complete or satisfactory: A pat answer is not going to satisfy an inquisitive audience.
a. Timely or opportune.
b. Suitable; fitting.
Games Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.

adverb
Informal

Completely, exactly, or perfectly: They've got the system down pat. He has the lesson pat.

Origin:

Origin: From pat¹

Related Forms: