| past participle |
a participle that either indicates a completed action or past state, such as "broken" in "I have broken my arm," or serves as an adjective, as "broken" in "a broken toy". |
| pastry |
a dough of flour, shortening, and water that is baked and used for pie crusts and the like. [3 definitions] |
| past tense |
a form of a verb that shows that something happened in the past or that a condition existed in the past. In the sentence, "We baked a cake," "baked" is in the past tense. |
| pasture |
land or a piece of land on which animals are or can be put to graze. [5 definitions] |
| pat1 |
to strike or tap lightly with something flat, esp. the open palm or fingers, as to mold or shape. [5 definitions] |
| patch |
a small piece of material, esp. fabric, applied to a larger piece of the same or similar material to cover a hole or tear, or to strengthen a weakened place. [10 definitions] |
| patchwork |
a type of needlework in which pieces of cloth or leather are sewn together, often in a pattern, as for quilts. [2 definitions] |
| patent |
a government grant to an inventor, giving for a specified period the exclusive right to make, use, or sell an invented device, process, or the like. [7 definitions] |
| patent leather |
leather that is treated in a formerly patented process to achieve a hard, glossy, usu. black finish. |
| paternal |
of, concerning, or typical of a father. [3 definitions] |
| path |
a track beaten by the feet of people or animals. [4 definitions] |
| pathetic |
arousing feelings of pity, sorrow, or tender concern. [2 definitions] |
| patience |
the ability to steadfastly endure misfortune, pain, or hardship. [3 definitions] |
| patient |
a person or animal undergoing medical treatment. [7 definitions] |
| patio |
a usu. paved and roofless area that adjoins a house and is used for dining or recreation. [2 definitions] |
| pat (someone) on the back |
(informal) to encourage, praise, or congratulate by words or actions. |
| patriarch |
a usu. elderly male leader of a family or tribe. (Cf. matriarch.) [4 definitions] |
| patriot |
one who loves, supports, and defends his or her nation and its interests. |
| patriotic |
feeling, showing, or caused by one's love for and loyalty to one's nation. |
| patriotism |
love for, and devotion and loyalty to, one's nation. |
| patrol |
to move regularly and repeatedly along or through (a route, building, or area) for the purpose of maintaining security and order. [3 definitions] |