pet

¹

[ pet ]

noun

1. any domesticated or tamed animal that is kept as a companion and cared for affectionately.
2. a person especially cherished or indulged; favorite:

   He was the teacher's pet.

3. a thing particularly cherished.

adjective

1. kept or treated as a pet:

   a pet lamb.

2. especially cherished or indulged, as a child or other person.
3. favorite; most preferred:

   a pet theory.

4. showing fondness or affection:

   to address someone with pet words.

verb (used with object)

, pet·ted, pet·ting.

1. to fondle or caress:

   to pet a dog.

2. to treat as a pet; indulge.

   Synonyms: favor, pamper, humor, baby

verb (used without object)

, pet·ted, pet·ting.

1. Informal. to engage in kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity with one’s partner, but not sexual intercourse.

pet

²

[ pet ]

noun

1. a fit of peevishness, sulking, or bad mood.

verb (used without object)

1. to be peevish; sulk.

PET

³

[ pet ]

noun

, Computers, Medicine/Medical.

1. positron emission tomography ( def ).

pet.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. petroleum.

Pet.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. Peter.

pet

¹

/ pɛt /

noun

1. a tame animal kept in a household for companionship, amusement, etc
2. a person who is fondly indulged; favourite

   teacher's pet

adjective

1. kept as a pet

   a pet dog

2. of or for pet animals

   pet food

3. particularly cherished; favourite

   a pet hatred

   a pet theory

4. familiar or affectionate

   a pet name

5. pet day
   a single fine day during a period of bad weather

verb

1. tr to treat (a person, animal, etc) as a pet; pamper
2. tr to pat or fondle (an animal, child, etc)
3. informal.
   intr (of two people) to caress each other in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking (often in the phrase heavy petting )

Pet.

²

abbreviation for

1. Peter

pet

³

/ pɛt /

noun

1. a fit of sulkiness, esp at what is felt to be a slight; pique

verb

1. intr to take offence; sulk

PET

⁴

abbreviation for

1. positron emission tomography

acronym for

1. potentially exempt transfer: a procedure in the UK whereby gifting property and cash is tax-free, provided that the donor lives for at least seven years after the gift is made

Derived Forms

• ˈpetter, noun

Other Words From

• petta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pet¹

First recorded in 1500–10; perhaps back formation from pet lamb. shortened variant of petty lamb “little lamb”; petty

Origin of pet²

First recorded in 1590–1600; origin uncertain; pettish

Origin of pet³

First recorded in 1975–80

Word History and Origins

Origin of pet¹

C16: origin unknown

Origin of pet²

C16: of uncertain origin

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with pet , also see teacher's pet .

Example Sentences

Owing to its popularity as a pet, it has spread across the Pacific to China.

From The Daily Beast

Then I was the December Penthouse Pet, which is a huge honor.

From The Daily Beast

This season is all about monitoring posture, scrutinizing sun exposure, even exploring the health of a pet.

From The Daily Beast

When POTUS asked Malia if she wanted to pet the turkey before he granted its reprieve, she responded appropriately: “Nah.”

From The Daily Beast

As he describes why he plans to spend the rest of his days in Kisangani, a pet parrot gnaws on his Rolex.

From The Daily Beast

When he gets quite large the boy will get tired of having him for a pet, and perhaps bring him back.

From Project Gutenberg

Now and then the boy who had bought Squinty, and who was taking him home, would look around at his pet in the slatted box.

From Project Gutenberg

The boy lifted up his pet, and put him back in the pen that had been especially built for the little pig.

From Project Gutenberg

After a little while Yung Pak got used to these "monkey shines," and he knew that his pet would not stay away long after mealtime.

From Project Gutenberg

You can see that it is five o'clock, because Big God Nqong's pet tame clock says so.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• caress
• coddle
• cuddle
• fondle
• pamper