pet1

 
Pronunciation: /pɛt/

noun

  • a domestic or tamed animal or bird kept for companionship or pleasure: the pony was a family pet [as modifier]: a pet cat pet food
  • a person treated with special favour or affection: she is the pet of the family [as modifier]: I found the chairs at my pet antiques dealer in Cannes
  • [as modifier] treated with special attention or evoking particularly strong feelings: another of her pet projects was the arts centre my pet hate is woodwork
  • British used as an affectionate form of address: don’t cry, pet, it’s all right

verb (pets, petting, petted)

[with object]
  • stroke or pat (an animal) affectionately: the cats came to be petted
  • treat (someone) with affection or favouritism; pamper: I was cosseted and petted and never shouted at
  • [no object] engage in sexually stimulating caressing and touching: couples necking and petting in cars

Derivatives

petter

noun

Origin:

early 16th century (as a noun; originally Scots and northern English): of unknown origin