patch

¹patch

noun \ˈpach\

Definition of PATCH

1

: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot

2

: a tiny piece of black silk or court plaster worn on the face or neck especially by women to hide a blemish or to heighten beauty

3

a : a piece of material (as adhesive plaster) used medically usually to cover a wound

b : a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin into the bloodstream <a nicotine patch>

c : a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye

4

a : a small piece : scrap

b : a part or area distinct from that about it <cabbage patch>

c : a period of time : spell <was going through a rough patch>

5

: someone or something equal or comparable —usually used in negative constructions <the new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor>

6

: a piece of cloth sewed on a garment as an ornament or insignia; especially : shoulder patch

7

: a temporary connection in a communication system (as a telephone hookup)

8

: a minor correction or modification in a computer program

Origin of PATCH

Middle English pacche

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with PATCH

bach, batch, catch, cratch, hatch, klatch, latch, match, natch, scratch, snatch, thatch

²patch

transitive verb

Definition of PATCH

1

: to mend, cover, or fill up a hole or weak spot in

2

: to provide with a patch

3

a : to make of patches or fragments

b : to mend or put together especially in hasty or shabby fashion —usually used with up

c : to apply a patch to (a computer program)

4

a : to connect (as circuits) by a patch cord

b : to connect (as a person or message) to a communication system especially temporarily <they patched him into the conference call>

Examples of PATCH

1. The fence needs to be patched.
2. They patched him into the conference call.

First Known Use of PATCH

15th century

Related to PATCH

Synonyms

doctor, fix, mend, recondition, renovate, repair, revamp

Related Words

fix up, furbish, overhaul, rebuild, reconstruct, refurbish; aid, cure, heal, help; condition, prepare, ready; care (for), maintain, service; freshen, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive; adjust, correct, modify, rectify, redress, reform, right; ameliorate, better, enhance, enrich, improve, meliorate

Near Antonyms

blemish, break, damage, deface, disfigure, flaw, harm, hurt, impair, injure, mar, ruin, spoil, vandalize, wreck; cripple, disable, maim, mangle, mutilate

See Synonym Discussion at mend

³patch

noun

Definition of PATCH

: fool, dolt

Origin of PATCH

perhaps by folk etymology from Italian dialect paccio

First Known Use: 1549

patch

noun \ˈpach\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PATCH

1

a : a piece of material used medically usually to cover a wound or repair a defect—see patch graft b : a usually disk-shaped piece of material that is worn on the skin and contains a substance (as a drug) that is absorbed at a constant rate through the skin and into the bloodstream <a nicotine patch>—called also skin patch c : a shield worn over the socket of an injured or missing eye

2

: a circumscribed region of tissue (as on the skin or in a section from an organ) that differs from the normal color or composition <sometimes great white patches develop on the tongue, the cheeks, and the gums—Morris Fishbein>

—patch transitive verb

—patchy \-ē\ adjective, patch·i·er patch·i·est