As a noun, a pattern is a repeated design or a regular way that something happens or is organized. As a verb, it means to create or shape something following a certain design or example.
“Pattern” comes from Middle English *patron*, borrowed from Old French, meaning “model” or “example to be copied.” Over time, the word shifted in spelling and came to emphasize repetition in design and behavior.
When you notice a pattern, you’re spotting repetition and using it to predict what comes next. That’s a basic human superpower—your brain is constantly hunting for patterns in faces, weather, and even people’s moods. The word reminds you that repetition is a kind of hidden information.
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