Pat vs. Pet: What's the Difference?

To tap gently with the open hand or with something flat.

An animal kept for enjoyment or companionship.

To stroke lightly as a gesture of affection.

An object of the affections.

To mold by tapping gently with the hands or a flat implement.

A person especially loved or indulged; a favorite

To run or walk with a tapping sound.

A fit of bad temper or pique.

To hit something or against something gently or lightly.

Kept as a pet

A light gentle stroke or tap.

Particularly cherished or indulged

The sound made by a light stroke or tap or by light footsteps.

Expressing or showing affection

A small mass shaped by or as if by patting

Being a favorite

Suitable; fitting

To stroke or caress gently.

Fitting or satisfactory in a superficial or contrived way, especially in being trite or glib

To stroke or fondle amorously.

(Games) Being a poker hand that is strong enough to make drawing cards unlikely to improve it.

To be sulky and peevish.

Readily or perfectly as a result of memorization or familiarization

An animal kept as a companion.

The sound of a light slap or tap with a soft flat object, especially of a footstep

(by extension) Something kept as a companion, including inanimate objects. (pet rock, pet plant, etc.)

A light tap or slap, especially with the hands

One who is excessively loyal to a superior and receives preferential treatment.

A flattish lump of soft matter, especially butter or dung.

Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a darling.

To (gently) tap the flat of one's hand on a person or thing.

A fit of petulance, a sulk, arising from the impression that one has been offended or slighted.

To hit lightly and repeatedly with the flat of the hand to make smooth or flat

Abbreviation of petition

To stroke or fondle (an animal).

A term of endearment usually applied to women and children.

To gently rain.

(transitive) To stroke or fondle (an animal).

Exactly suitable, fitting, apt; timely, convenient, opportune, ready for the occasion; especially of things spoken.

To stroke or fondle (another person) amorously.

Trite, being superficially complete, lacking originality.

To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.

Opportunely, in a timely or suitable way.

To be a pet.

Perfectly.

To be peevish; to sulk.

To strike gently with the fingers or hand; to stroke lightly; to tap; as, to pat a dog.

Favourite; cherished; the focus of one's (usually positive) attention.

A light, quik blow or stroke with the fingers or hand; a tap.

Kept or treated as a pet.

A small mass, as of butter, shaped by pats.

A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.

Exactly suitable; fit; convenient; timely.

Any person especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.

In a pat manner.

A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness.

The sound made by a gentle blow

Any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately. Distinguished from animals raised for food or to perform useful tasks, as a draft animal.

A light touch or stroke

Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory; a pet animal.

Pat or squeeze fondly or playfully, especially under the chin

To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.

Hit lightly;

To be a pet.

Having only superficial plausibility;

A domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

Exactly suited to the occasion;

A special loved one

Completely or perfectly;

A fit of petulance or sulkiness (especially at what is felt to be a slight)

Using a computerized radiographic technique to examine the metabolic activity in various tissues (especially in the brain)

Stroke or caress gently;

Stroke or caress in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking

Preferred above all others and treated with partiality;