释义 |
pet I. \ˈpet, usu -ed.+V\ noun (-s) Etymology: perhaps back-formation from obsolete English petty small, from Middle English pety — more at petty 1. a. : a domesticated animal kept for pleasure rather than utility b. dialect Britain : a pet lamb 2. a. : a pampered and usually spoiled child b. : a person who is treated with unusual kindness or consideration : darling < the spoilt pet of America's idle rich — Bernard Smith > < teacher's pet > 3. : something having marked popularity : current favorite < enormous buttons put together like cuff links are another … pet — Lois Long > 4. South & Midland : boil, sore II. adjective 1. a. : kept or treated as a pet < pet dogs > b. : treated with unusual kindness or consideration : cherished, indulged < pet students > 2. : expressing fondness or endearment < a pet name > 3. : inspiring a special interest or liking : favorite < pet theories > < pet stories > III. verb (petted ; petted ; petting ; pets) transitive verb 1. a. : to make a pet of : treat as a pet < died … in the newest and largest of hospitals petted by all her nurses — Randall Jarrell > b. : to stroke in a gentle or loving manner : caress < petted the seat with his fingers as though that would mend it — John Steinbeck > c. : to treat with unusual kindness and consideration : pamper, indulge < that a man whom he had petted and favored … should go back on him was more than he could endure — John Buchan > 2. : to embrace and kiss (a member of the opposite sex) in sexual play : neck intransitive verb : to engage in embracing, caressing, and kissing a member of the opposite sex < a girl is … more popular with boys if she pets — Valeria H. Parker > IV. noun (-s) Etymology: origin unknown 1. : offense, umbrage < take the pet in a case of failure and go off in disgust — R.H.Elliot > 2. : a fit of peevishness, sulkiness, or anger < resigned in a pet, went off to improve his mind by travel — Time > V. intransitive verb (petted ; petted ; petting ; pets) : to take offense : sulk VI. abbreviation 1. petrolatum 2. petroleum |