Pet

Pronunciation

• IPA: /pÉ›t/
• Rhymes: -É›t

Originally from Northern English and Scots dialects, origin is unsure but may have arisen due to influence of petty pertaining to children and later companion animals. Almost certainly of Germanic etymology.

Noun

1. An animal kept as a companion.
2. One who is excessively loyal to a superior.
3. Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a darling.
• Tatlerthe love of cronies, pets, and favourites

Synonyms

• companion animal

Full definition of pet

Verb

1. (transitive) To stroke or fondle (an animal).
2. (transitive, informal) To stroke or fondle (another person) amorously.
3. (intransitive, informal) Of two or more people, to stroke and fondle one another amorously.
4. (dated, transitive) To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.His daughter was petted and spoiled.
5. (archaic, intransitive) To be a pet.

Derived terms

Adjective

1. Favourite; cherished.a pet childa pet theory
• F. HarrisonSome young lady's pet curate.

Origin unknown.

Noun

1. A fit of petulance, a sulk, arising from the impression that one has been offended or slighted.
• 1891, Mary Noailles Murfree, In the "Stranger People's" Country, Nebraska 2005, p. 105:There was something ludicrous, even more, unbecoming a gentleman, in leaving a friend's house in a pet, with the host's reproaches sounding in his ears, to be matched only by the bitterness of the guest's sneering retorts.

Abbreviation of petition.

Noun

1. Abbreviation of petition

Diminutive of petal.

Noun

1. (Geordie) A term of endearment usually applied to women and children.

Anagrams

• Pte