Толковый словарь английского языка Oxford English Reference - pat

n. a nickname for an Irishman. Etymology: abbr. of the name Patrick PAT 1. v. & n. --v. (patted, patting) 1 tr. strike gently with the hand or a flat surface. 2 tr. flatten or mould by patting. 3 tr. strike gently with the inner surface of the hand, esp. as a sign of affection, sympathy, or congratulation. 4 intr. (foll. by on, upon) beat lightly. --n. 1 a light stroke or tap, esp. with the hand in affection etc. 2 the sound made by this. 3 a small mass (esp. of butter) formed by patting. Phrases and idioms pat-a-cake a child's game with the patting of hands (the first words of a nursery rhyme). pat on the back a gesture of approval or congratulation. pat a person on the back congratulate a person. Etymology: ME, prob. imit. 2. adj. & adv. --adj. 1 known thoroughly and ready for any occasion. 2 apposite or opportune, esp. unconvincingly so (gave a pat answer). --adv. 1 in a pat manner. 2 appositely, opportunely. Phrases and idioms have off pat know or have memorized perfectly. stand pat esp. US 1 stick stubbornly to one's opinion or decision. 2 Poker retain one's hand as dealt; not draw other cards. Derivatives patly adv. patness n. Etymology: 16th c.: rel. to PAT(1) 3. n. Phrases and idioms on one's pat Austral. sl. on one's own. Etymology: Pat Malone, rhyming slang for own