Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - pat

~1 v patted, patting 1 to repeatedly touch someone or something lightly with your hand flat, especially to give comfort  (He patted the dog affectionately as he spoke.) 2 pat sb/yourself on the back to praise someone or yourself for doing something well  (You can pat yourselves on the back for a job well done.) ~2 n 1 a friendly act of touching someone with your hand flat  (Mrs Dodd gave the child a pat on the head.) 2 the sound made by hitting something lightly with a flat object 3 a pat of butter a small flat lump of butter 4 a pat on the back informal praise for something that you have done well  (Alex deserves a pat on the back for all his hard work.)  (- see also cowpat) ~3 adj usually before noun a pat answer or explanation is made quickly and sounds as if it has been used before  (Don't give me any of your pat answers.) ~4 adv 1 have sth off pat BrE have sth down pat AmE to know something thoroughly so that you can say it, perform it etc immediately without thinking about it 2 stand pat especially AmE to refuse to change your opinion or decision