pate

¹

[ peyt ]

noun

1. the crown or top of the head.
2. the head.
3. the brain.

pâté

²

[ pah-tey, pa‑; French pah-tey, pa‑ ]

noun

, plural pâ·tés [pah-, teyz, pa‑, pah-, tey],

1. French Cooking. a paste or spread made of puréed or finely chopped liver, meat, fish, game, etc., served as an hors d'oeuvre.
2. foie gras.

pâte

³

[ paht ]

noun

1. porcelain paste used in ceramic work.

pate

¹

/ peɪt /

noun

1. the head, esp with reference to baldness or (in facetious use) intelligence

pâté

²

/ pɑte; ˈpæteɪ /

noun

1. a spread of very finely minced liver, poultry, etc, served usually as an hors d'oeuvre
2. a savoury pie of meat or fish

Word History and Origins

Origin of pate¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, of uncertain origin

Origin of pate²

From French, dating back to 1695–1705; paste, -ee

Origin of pate³

First recorded in 1860–65; from French: literally, “dough, batter, paste”; paste

Word History and Origins

Origin of pate¹

C14: of unknown origin

Origin of pate²

from French: paste ¹

Example Sentences

Wonderful houses like Meridian House but 
still thriving with boiseries, Louis XV and paté en croute.

From The Daily Beast

There certainly had been one tin of paté, and it circulated at that end; on the other hand, the ladies had all the fondants.

From Project Gutenberg

Arrived at home, my friend's first act was to open his buffetier and take out a loaf, a paté de foie gras, and a bottle of wine.

From Project Gutenberg

Sunday he bring a paté like we eat on days of féte before the war; and he remain for aid us eat it.

From Project Gutenberg

Each course as it is served receives an introductory speech: "Ce paté, mon cher, est la gloire de ma cuisinière" etc.

From Project Gutenberg

Nell, do you think I'll be allowed to have as many cakes as I wish, and paté de foie gras?

From Project Gutenberg