pat Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the sound made by a gentle blow
    tap; rap.
  2. noun a light touch or stroke
    tap; dab.
  3. verb pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin
    chuck.
  4. verb hit lightly
    dab.
    • pat him on the shoulder
  5. adjective satellite having only superficial plausibility
    glib; slick.
    • glib promises
    • a slick commercial
  6. adjective satellite exactly suited to the occasion
    • a pat reply
  7. adverb completely or perfectly
    • he has the lesson pat
    • had the system down pat

WordNet

Pat transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. G. patschen, Prov. G. patzen, to strike, tap.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Patted ; present participle & verbal noun Patting
Definitions
  1. To strike gently with the fingers or hand; to stroke lightly; to tap; as, to pat a dog.
    Gay pats my shoulder, and you vanish quite. Pope.
Pat noun
Definitions
  1. A light, quik blow or stroke with the fingers or hand; a tap.
  2. A small mass, as of butter, shaped by pats.
    It looked like a tessellated work of pats of butter. Dickens.
Pat adjective
Etymology
Cf. pat a light blow, D. te pas convenient, pat, where pas is fr. F. passer to pass.
Definitions
  1. Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely. "Pat allusion." Barrow.
Pat adverb
Definitions
  1. In a pat manner.
    I foresaw then 't would come in pat hereafter. Sterne.

Webster 1913