pet

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   stroke or caress gently

   pet the lamb

2. 2
   noun

   Something kept as a companion, including inanimate objects (pet rock, pet plant, etc.).

   Papyrus: This is my brother's pet rock. He always forgets to feed it. As usual, I have to take responsibility.

3. 3
   noun

   Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a darling.

   At first she sat silent; but that could not last: she had resolved to make a pet of her little cousin, as she would have him to be; and she commenced stroking his curls, and kissing his cheek, and offering him tea in her saucer, like a baby.

4. 4
   verb

   To stroke or fondle (an animal).

   I really love to pet cute puppies.

5. 5
   verb

   To stroke or fondle (another person) amorously.

   We started petting each other the moment we were alone.

6. 6
   verb

   To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.

   His daughter was petted and spoiled.

7. 7
   verb

   To be peevish; to sulk.

   He sure is queasie stomach't that must pet, and puke, at such a trivial circumstance

8. 8
   adj

   Favourite; cherished; the focus of one's (usually positive) attention.

   a pet project

Etymology

Originally northern dialectal, from Scots pet (“an animal that has been tamed and is kept as a pet; a darling or favourite; a petted or spoiled child”), probably from Scottish Gaelic peata (“pet, tamed animal, spoiled child”), from Middle Irish petta, peta (“pet, lap-dog”), of uncertain origin, possibly from a pre-Indo-European substrate. Compare also peat (“pet, darling, woman”), which is likely not related. The verb is derived from the noun.