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pattern definition

pat·tern (patərn)

noun

  1. a person or thing considered worthy of imitation or copying
  2. a model or plan used as a guide in making things; set of forms to the shape of which material is cut for assembly into the finished article a dress pattern
  3. the full-scale model used in making a sand mold for casting metal
  4. something representing a class or type; example; sample
  5. an arrangement of form; disposition of parts or elements; design wallpaper patterns, the pattern of a novel
  6. a regular, mainly unvarying way of acting or doing behavior patterns
  7. a predictable or prescribed route, movement, etc. traffic pattern, landing pattern
    1. grouping or distribution, as of a number of bullets fired at a mark
    2. something, as a diagram, showing such distribution
  8. Now Rare sufficient material for making a garment

Etymology: ME patron < OFr patrun, patron, hence something to be imitated, pattern: see patron

transitive verb

  1. to make, do, shape, or plan in imitation of a model or pattern: with on, upon, or after
  2. to supply with a pattern or design; mark or decorate with a pattern

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
pattern Synonyms

pattern

n.

  1. A model

    original, guide, model, exemplar; see model 1, 2.

  2. Markings

    decoration, trim, ornament; see design 1. See syn. study at model.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

pattern Usage Examples

Object

  • tights: What better way to celebrate Spring than with some wonderful floral patterned tights, including the new Falke which are to die for.

Converse of object

  • dot: Character dot pattern BBC BASIC for Windows emulates the BBC Micro OSWORD call which reads the ' dot pattern ' of a character.

Adjective modifier

  • spatial: Modeling climate and land use influences on spatial patterns of UK plant biodiversity.

Modifies a noun

  • matching: General Regular Expression Traps using s / / / , etc. Traps related to the use of pattern matching.

Noun used with modifier

  • diffraction: What else can we say about the diffraction pattern from a protein crystal?

Possessives

  • Spode: Spode's pattern is thought to date from 1806.

Preposition: of

  • behavior: We may use technology to track the patterns of behavior of visitors to our site.

Preposition: for

  • gamefish: All patterns for all gamefish, including magazine flies, and repeats of that last fly you have left.
pattern usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

pattern quotes

Remember, the prince is like a mirror exposed to the eyes of all his subjects who continually look to him as a pattern on which to model themselves, and who in consequence without much trouble discover his vices and virtues.

-CharlesV

That long frontier fromthe Atlantic tothe Pacificoceans, guarded only by neighbourly respect and honourable obligations, is an exampleto everycountryand a pattern for the future of the world.

-Churchill, Lord Randolph Henry Spencer

Shakespeare was the Homer, or father of our dramatic poets;Jonson was theVirgil, the pattern of elaborate writing; I admire him, but I love Shakespeare.

-Dryden,John

pattern quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"pattern." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/pattern>

APA Style

pattern. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/pattern

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