pattern English · revision 4521

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1324|origins=la patronus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈpæt.ən/, US /ˈpæt̬.ɚn/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a variant of Middle English patroun, [[patron]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) [[bor|fro|patron|t=patron, protector; model, pattern]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998) from [[la-med|patrōnus]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) from Latin patrōnus “protector of clients, defender”,^(Cresswell 2021) from pater “father”.^(Cresswell 2021) The shift in sense came from the idea of a patron as a model to be imitated,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) and pattern was at first used of a human model.^(Barnhart 1988) The change of form by metathesis of the second syllable occurred in the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An outline, plan or model: 1324 in Barnhart, as patron;^(Barnhart 1988) a thing serving as a model for making something: 1352 in the OED.^(OED 1989) The original proposed for imitation, an archetype: about 1369.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A model of behaviour is from before 1420.^(Barnhart 1988) A decorative design, as on china, carpets or wallpaper, is from 1582,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) the 1580s in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) An example or typical instance is from 1555,^(OED 1989) and a sample, a part showing the quality of the whole, from 1644.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) A paper pattern in dressmaking is recorded by 1792, in Jane Austen.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Pattern and patron were not firmly distinguished in form and sense until the 1700s,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) when patron ceased to be used of things.^(Cresswell 2021) The verb meant to design or plan in 1581, in Sidney,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) to make after a pattern from about 1600,^(Etymonline) and to cover with a design by 1857.^(Etymonline) ''Pattern after'', to take as a model, is by 1878.^(Etymonline) The King James Bible uses pattern in the unusual sense of “copy”, at Hebrews 9:23.^(Trench 1859)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1324 – an outline or model.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1352 – a model for making things.^(OED 1989)

+ * a. 1420 – a model of behaviour.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1555 – an example.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1581 – verb, to design.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1582 – a decorative design.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1644 – a sample.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1792 – a dressmaking pattern.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1857 – verb, to cover with a design.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A repeated decorative [[design]], as on fabric or wallpaper.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A plan, diagram or shape used as a guide in making things, as in dressmaking.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A regular or repeated way in which something happens or is done: ''patterns of behaviour''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A model or example worthy of imitation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A sample or [[specimen]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make or design following a pattern; to model.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To decorate with a pattern.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[patterned]]

+ * [[patternless]]

+ * [[patternable]]

+ * [[patterner]]

+ * [[patternlike]]

+ * [[patterny]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[patron]]

+ * [[paternal]]

+ * [[pope]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}