pate
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pate¹
- /peɪt/
Rhymes with -eɪt
Where it comes from
From Middle English pate, of uncertain origin. Perhaps a shortened form of Old French patene or Medieval Latin patena, both from Latin patina (“pan, dish”). Alternatively, perhaps akin to Old Frisian pote (“skull”).
noun pates
- The head, particularly the top or crown. He had a shiny, bald pate.
- Wit, cleverness, cognitive abilities. I am reſolued, tis but a thee yeeres faſt: The minde ſhall banquet, though the body pine, Fat paunches haue leane pates: and daynty bits Make rich the ribbes, but banerout quite the wits.
pate²
- /ˈpæt.eɪ/
- /pæˈteɪ/
Rhymes with -æteɪ, -eɪ
Where it comes from
Attested since circa 1700, from French pâté, from Old French paste, pastée. Doublet of pâté and patty.
noun pates
- Alternative spelling of pâté (finely-ground paste of meat, fish, etc.)
- The interior body, or non-rind portion of cheese, described by its texture, density, and color.
Pate³
proper noun
- An island of Kenya.
- A surname.
Translations
Talk about this word "pate." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/pate. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. pate. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/pate "pate." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/pate.Cite this
@misc{pate_2026,
title = {pate},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/pate},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
