Pate Meaning
/peɪt/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe head, particularly the top or crown.
nounWit, cleverness, cognitive abilities.
Sentence Examples
Miss Pate felt timid about making a speech before a hundred people.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The appetizer was a smooth chicken liver ____ served on crispy toast.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The chef served a smooth chicken liver ____ with toasted bread and a small pot of chutney.
Word Origin & History
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”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"For his vnhappynes ſhall come vpon his owne heade, ⁊ his wickednes ſhall fall vpon his owne pate."
— 1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Psalm vij:[16], folio xiij, recto, column 2:
"The whole benighted, blooming crew,
The Puddin'-thieves, the Usher too,
Are being beaten black and blue
With bottles on the pate."
— 1918, Norman Lindsay, The Magic Pudding, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 167:
"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."
— c. 1595–1596 (date written), W. Shakespere [i.e., William Shakespeare], A Pleasant Conceited Comedie Called, Loues Labors Lost. […] (First Quarto), London: […] W[illiam] W[hite] for Cut[h]bert Burby, published 1598, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
"I thank thee for that ieſt; heer’s a garment for’t:
Wit ſhall not goe vn-rewarded while I am King of this
Country: Steale by line and leuell, is an excellent paſſe
of pate: there’s another garment for’t."
— 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], page 16, column 1:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The appetizer was a smooth chicken liver ____ served on crispy toast.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The chef served a smooth chicken liver ____ with toasted bread and a small pot of chutney.