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| pat [ pat ] |
transitive verb (past and past participle pat·ted, present participle pat·ting, 3rd person present singular pats) |
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| Definition: |
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1. lay hand on something repeatedly: to touch somebody or something repeatedly with the palm of the hand, e.g. to show affection or to congratulate somebody
  I patted the child's curly head.
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2. strike lightly: to strike something lightly with the palm of the hand or something flat
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3. shape something with hands: to shape or smooth something with repeated light blows with the hands or with a flat object
patted the dough into shape
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noun (plural pats) |
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| Definition: |
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1. light touch: a light, usually repeated, touch with the hand to show affection or to congratulate somebody
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2. light blow: a light blow with the palm of the hand or with a flat object
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3. small piece: a small piece of a soft substance, especially butter
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4. soft sound: the sound made by a light blow with the hand or with a flat object, or by a light footstep
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| [14th century. An imitation of the sound made] |
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a pat on the back an expression of praise or congratulation (informal)
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pat somebody on the back to praise or congratulate somebody (informal)
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