Link Centre Dictionary

pattern

pat·tern

UK/ˈpæ̞t(ə)n/ US/ˈpætɚn/ common informal us
noun (8) verb (2)

noun

1.

a perceptual structure

  • “the composition presents problems for students of musical form”
  • “a visual pattern must include not only objects but the spaces between them”
Synonyms
2.

a customary way of operation or behavior

  • “it is their practice to give annual raises”
  • “they changed their dietary pattern”
Synonyms
3.

a decorative or artistic work

  • “the coach had a design on the doors”
Synonyms
4.

something regarded as a normative example

  • “the convention of not naming the main character”
  • “violence is the rule not the exception”
  • “his formula for impressing visitors”
Synonyms
5.

a model considered worthy of imitation

  • “the American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics”
6.

something intended as a guide for making something else

  • “a blueprint for a house”
  • “a pattern for a skirt”
Synonyms
7.

the path that is prescribed for an airplane that is preparing to land at an airport

  • “the traffic patterns around O”
  • “;”
Synonyms
8.

verb

1.

plan or create according to a model or models

Synonyms
2.

form a pattern

  • “These sentences pattern like the ones we studied before”

Origin

From earlier patten, paterne, from Middle English patron (“patron; example”), from Old French patron, from Medieval Latin patrōnus (“patron”). Doublet of padrone, patron, Patronus, and patroon.

Phrases

  • abstract factory pattern
  • adapter pattern
  • Airy pattern
  • architectural pattern
  • be part of life's rich pattern
  • behavioral pattern
  • behavioural pattern
  • bridge pattern

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Narrower terms

Parts

Part of

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.