c. 1400, "a blow, stroke," perhaps originally imitative of the sound of patting. Meaning "light tap with hand" is from c. 1804. Sense of "that which is formed by patting" (as in pat of butter) is 1754, probably from the verb. Pat on the back in the figurative sense attested by 1804.
pat (adv.)
"aptly, suitably, at the right time," 1570s, perhaps from pat (adj.) in sense of "that which hits the mark," a special use from pat (n.) in sense of "a hitting" of the mark. The modern adjective is 1630s, from the adverb.
pat (v.)
1560s, "to hit, throw;" meaning "to tap or strike lightly" is from 1714; from pat (n.). Related: Patted; patting. The nursery rhyme phrase pat-a-cake is known from 1823. Alternative patty-cake (usually American English) is attested from 1794 (in "Mother Goose's Melody, or Sonnets for the Cradle," Worcester, Mass.).
Pat
as a fem. proper name, short for Patricia. As a masc. proper name, short for Patrick; hence a nickname for any Irishman.
雙語例句
1. Pat was a tower of strength to our whole family.
帕特是我們?nèi)胰说闹餍墓恰?/dd>
來自柯林斯例句
2. Pat refused to give her any information about Sarah.
帕特拒絕向她提供任何關于薩拉的消息。
來自柯林斯例句
3. If you do something well, give yourself a pat on the back.
事情做得漂亮時，給自己一點表揚。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Pat and I resigned ourselves to yet another summer without a boat.
我和帕特在沒有船的情況下勉強又湊合了一個夏天。
來自柯林斯例句
5. "Daniel," Pat said, her voice harsh with urgency. "Come out here immediately."