Definition

1. Noun:

   • A domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement: An animal that lives with people in their home, not for work or food, but as a friend.
   • A special loved one; a darling: A person who is treated with particular fondness or favoritism.
   • A fit of sulkiness or bad temper: A period of being annoyed or upset, often over a minor issue.

2. Verb:

   • To stroke or caress gently: To touch an animal or person lovingly with the hand, usually in a slow, soft manner.
   • To engage in amorous kissing, caressing, and other sexual activity: (Informal) To engage in intimate physical contact, often as a precursor to sexual intercourse.

3. Adjective:

   • Treated as a favorite; cherished: Regarded with special affection or indulgence.

Examples

• Noun:

  • My dog is a beloved family pet.
  • As the youngest, she was always her father's pet.
  • She stormed off in a pet after losing the game.

• Verb:

  • He likes to pet his cat while reading.
  • The couple was petting in the back seat of the car.

• Adjective:

  • What is your pet project at the moment?
  • He repeated his pet theory about the economy.

Advanced Usage

• "Pet name": An affectionate nickname used for a loved one.

  • "Sweetheart" is a common pet name.

• "Pet peeve": A minor annoyance that a person finds particularly irritating.

  • My biggest pet peeve is people who are late.

• "Pet subject": A topic one is particularly fond of discussing.

  • For him, ancient history is a pet subject.

Variants and Related Words

• Pettable (adj): Describing an animal that is pleasant or suitable to stroke.

  • The rabbit was soft and pettable.

• Petting (n): The act of stroking gently; also refers to intimate sexual contact without intercourse.

  • The zoo has a petting area for children.

Synonyms

• Noun (animal): Companion animal.
• Noun (favorite): Darling, favorite.
• Verb (stroke): Caress, fondle.
• Adjective: Favorite, cherished, dear.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Pet and pamper: To treat with excessive care and indulgence.
  • They pet and pamper their dog as if it were a child.

Related Idioms

• Teacher's pet: A student who is perceived to be the teacher's favorite.

  • He always gets good grades because he's the teacher's pet.

• In a pet: In a state of sulky bad temper.

  • Don't go in a pet just because you didn't get your way.

Adjective

1. preferred above all others and treated with partiality
   • the favored child

Noun

1. using a computerized radiographic technique to examine the metabolic activity in various tissues (especially in the brain)
2. a fit of petulance or sulkiness (especially at what is felt to be a slight)
3. a special loved one
4. a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement

Verb

1. stroke or caress in an erotic manner, as during lovemaking
2. stroke or caress gently
   • pet the lamb