Main Entry:

¹patch

Pronunciation:

\ˈpach\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English pacche

Date:

14th century

1: a piece of material used to mend or cover a hole or a weak spot2: 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 beauty3 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 eye4 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 patch7: a temporary connection in a communication system (as a telephone hookup)8: a minor correction or modification in a computer program