Past tense of pat; to touch gently and repeatedly with the palm of your hand.
From Middle English 'patten,' possibly imitative in origin, mimicking the sound or action of gentle tapping. First appeared in English in the 15th century.
The word 'pat' might be onomatopoeia—it literally sounds like the action it describes, which is why many languages have similar-sounding words for the same gentle tapping motion!
Patting (especially on the head or back) has historically been a diminishing gesture toward women, infantilizing or trivializing their authority in professional/public contexts.
Use patted neutrally for affection, but recognize context where it substitutes for respecting adult boundaries or agency.
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