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

I was all over his forehead and the dome of his pate.

From Literature

The bread was thin and appropriately crumbly, the pate a nice thick schmear and the jalapeño provided quite a kick.

From Seattle Times

The pork is grilled in strips, lovingly layered over a hefty amount of creamy pate.

From Seattle Times

Nebbishy to the ninth, Paul trudges through the movie leading with his shiny white pate and enormous glasses, often wearing a parka whose gray fur lining might be an extension of his beard.

From Los Angeles Times

With his bald pate and nimbus of gray, scowling behind spectacles, he had long been a favorite of editorial cartoonists.

From New York Times