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pat(1) (iou)



pat adverb2 & adjective. [pat] L16.
[App. rel. to PAT noun1, verb & adverb.]
A. adverb. In a manner that exactly fits the purpose or occasion; appositely, opportunely. Also, too readily, too promptly; glibly, facilely. L16.
have pat, have down pat, have off pat know or have memorized perfectly. stand pat (chiefly N. Amer.) (a) abide stubbornly by one's decision or opinion; (b) Poker retain one's hand as dealt.
E. Figes It has all come so pat, been accepted so passively.
b. adjective. That comes exactly to the purpose; apposite, opportune; (of words etc.) known thoroughly, memorized. Also, glib, facile. M17.
pat hand Poker a hand which is of sufficient value to play as it is dealt.
Thackeray Backing his opinion with a score of pat sentences from Greek and Roman authorities. G. Sayer Cooke considered his apparent logicality as pat oversimplification.
? In some uses the part of speech is indeterminate.