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Literary notes about PAT (AI summary)

The word "pat" appears in literary works with a surprisingly diverse range of meanings and functions. It can denote a precise, rhythmic sound—almost onomatopoeic in nature—as when footsteps or gentle taps are described with a “pat-pat” cadence ([1], [2], [3], [4]). In other contexts, it acts as a verb indicating a light, affectionate touch, whether it’s the simple gesture of patting someone’s head in a friendly manner ([5], [6], [7]) or the more nuanced moment of reassurance and intimacy ([8], [9]). The term also emerges in more technical or symbolic language; for instance, it forms part of heraldic terminology in “cross-patée” to describe intricately designed emblems ([10], [11], [12], [13]), and it even appears in legal and scholarly discourse, such as listings in patent citations ([14], [15]). Furthermore, “Pat” functions as a diminutive or nickname for characters, embedding itself in the familiar dialogue of narrative works ([16], [17], [18], [19]). This multifaceted use showcases the word’s versatility—from evoking sound and touch to denoting precision and identity in literary language.
  1. The pat-pat of her slippered feet aroused Old Chris from his nodding over the Farm Herald .
    — from The Best Short Stories of 1917, and the Yearbook of the American Short Story
  2. "Surely I hear something?" From the utter silence there emerged a deep, regular pat-pat.
    — from The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle
  3. As I did so, I heard the rapid pit-pat of a swiftly driven horse’s feet.
    — from Dracula by Bram Stoker
  4. Then as it grew it took a regular rhythm, and he knew it for nothing else but the pat-pat-pat of little feet still a very long way off.
    — from The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
  5. “Ah! what a beautiful creature!” cried Valentine; “why did you not bring him close to the gate, so that I could talk to him and pat him?”
    — from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet
  6. Eh! lad, lad—what’s names to th’ Joy Maker,” and she gave his shoulders a quick soft pat again.
    — from The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
  7. Pat her on the head, and see how pleased she’ll be!
    — from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and Alice Gerstenberg
  8. He came round to each of us to pat and speak to us for the last time; his voice sounded very sad.
    — from Black Beauty by Anna Sewell
  9. She smiled, and again gave me a pat on the cheek, as much as to say, “I understand you, you rogue,” but did as I suggested.
    — from The Romance of Lust: A classic Victorian erotic novel by Anonymous
  10. The cross-patée at the top has in the centre a large sapphire of magnificent colour set openly.
    — from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
  11. On one hand it requires little imagination to find the cross patée and the cross botonnée of heraldry prefigured on two of these shields.
    — from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
  12. From the centre of the arches, which slope slightly downwards, springs a mound with a cross-patée above it.
    — from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
  13. Officially this coronet is described as being composed of crosses-patée and fleurs-de-lis alternately.
    — from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies
  14. [165] U.S. Pat., 943,238, Dec. 14, 1909.
    — from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers
  15. [111] French Pat., 379,036, Aug. 28, 1906.
    — from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers
  16. “Will you hold one while I finish with the other?” asked Pat.
    — from Bliss, and other stories by Katherine Mansfield
  17. ‘And how do you like your new master, Pat?’ says I to him.
    — from Dubliners by James Joyce
  18. I wanted to get poor Pat a job one time.
    — from Ulysses by James Joyce
  19. Nor Ben nor Bob nor Tom nor Si nor George nor tanks nor Richie nor Pat.
    — from Ulysses by James Joyce

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