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

The couple also hired several pet communicators, or animal psychics, who claim they can telepathically connect with a pet and help owners understand them.

From Los Angeles Times

A woman who was mauled to death by her pet dog may have suffered an epileptic seizure which triggered the attack, an inquest has heard.

From BBC

Kennedy is an overt anti-vaccination agitator, among his many other pet pseudoscientific positions.

From Los Angeles Times

Their checklist also includes iodine tablets, as well as easy-to-cook food, pet food and a backup power supply.

From BBC

“I don't know that anyone is tempted to pet these robot dogs. They do not look cuddly,” said Melissa Michelson, a political scientist at Menlo College.

From BBC

Related Words

• caress
• coddle
• cuddle
• fondle
• pamper

More About Pet

What does pet mean?

A pet is any animal that is tamed and trained to be kept as a companion, such as a dog or a bird.

To pet means to stroke or rub an animal’s fur or body in a cherished way.

A pet can also be a person or object that someone cherishes or indulges.

Finally, pet can describe something that is cherished, such as a pet theory.

Example: She is so extravagant that she has a big birthday party for her pet dog every year.

Where does pet come from?

The first records of the term pet come from the early 1500s. It most likely comes from the phrase petty lamb, meaning “little lamb.”

While having a pet dog might be nice, when someone calls you the teacher’s pet, they are saying you became the teacher’s favorite student in order to get special treatment. And while pet words can make language more fun, pet theories can lead to trouble if we don’t look at evidence against our theory closely enough. Looking at facts on both sides of an argument is the best way to prevent our favorite theories from making pets of us.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to pet?

• petable (adjective)

What are some synonyms for pet?

• caress
• cherish
• cuddle

What are some words that share a root or word element with pet? 

• petty
• pet sitting
• petticoat

What are some words that often get used in discussing pet?

• cat
• dog
• fish
• fur
• rodent
• stroke

How is pet used in real life?

Pets are usually cherished and treated even better than humans in some cases.

I hope you all get to pet a dog today

— WeRateDogs® (@dog_rates) March 3, 2017

I want a pet tree frog 🐸

— Nash Grier (@Nashgrier) August 19, 2014

Feeling like a right teacher's pet as you proudly present your train ticket to the inspector

— VeryBritishProblems (@SoVeryBritish) June 2, 2016

 

Try using pet!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for pet?

A. cherished
B. disliked
C. loved
D. prefered