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pat2

Syllabification: (pat)

Pronunciation: /pat/

Definition of pat

simple and somewhat glib or unconvincing:instead of enlightened minds I found prejudice and pat answers

at exactly the right moment or in the right way; conveniently or opportunely:the happy ending came rather pat

Phrases

down pat: see down¹.
stand pat: stick stubbornly to one’s opinion or decision:many ranchers stood pat with the old strains of cattle; (in poker and blackjack) retain one’s hand as dealt, without drawing other cards.

late 16th century: related to pat¹; apparently originally symbolic: a frequently found early use was hit pat (i.e., hit as if with a flat blow)

Definition of pat in the British & World English dictionary

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