pet

I

[[t]pɛt[/t]]

n. adj. v. pet•ted, pet•ting

1) any domesticated animal kept as a companion

2) a person especially cherished or indulged:

teacher's pet[/ex]

3) a thing particularly cherished

4) kept or treated as a pet

5) cherished or indulged, as a child

6) favorite; preferred:

a pet theory[/ex]

7) showing fondness or affection:

pet names[/ex]

8) inf to fondle or caress:

I like to pet the cat and listen to her purr[/ex]

9) to treat as a pet; indulge

10) inf to engage in amorous fondling and caressing

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Etymology: 1500–10; (n.) perh. back formation from pet lamb cade lamb, shortened var. of petty lamb little lamb (see petty) pet′ta•ble, adj. II

pet

[[t]pɛt[/t]] n. v. pet•ted, pet•ting. n.

1) a fit of peevishness or sulking

2) to be peevish; sulk

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Etymology: 1580–90; orig. uncert.; cf. pettish