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.
双语例句
1. Pat was a tower of strength to our whole family.
帕特是我们全家人的主心骨。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Pat refused to give her any information about Sarah.
帕特拒绝向她提供任何关于萨拉的消息。
来自柯林斯例句
3. If you do something well, give yourself a pat on the back.
事情做得漂亮时,给自己一点表扬。
来自柯林斯例句
4. Pat and I resigned ourselves to yet another summer without a boat.
我和帕特在没有船的情况下勉强又凑合了一个夏天。
来自柯林斯例句
5. "Daniel," Pat said, her voice harsh with urgency. "Come out here immediately."