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   pattern

   /ˈpatn/

   noun

   • 1. a repeated decorative design: "a neat blue herringbone pattern" Similar designdecorationmotifmarkingornamentornamentationdevicefigure
   • ▪ an arrangement or design regularly found in comparable objects: "the house had been built on the usual pattern" Similar modelexamplecriterionstandardbasispoint of referencegaugenormformulaguidescaleguidelineyardsticktouchstonebenchmarkidealexemplarparadigmcanonblueprintarchetypeprototypeoriginaldesigntemplatemouldcastmatrixlastlayoutoutlinesketchdraftstencilsamplespecimenspecificationshapeplanstylesourcetype
   • ▪ a regular and intelligible form or sequence discernible in the way in which something happens or is done: "a complicating factor is the change in working patterns" Similar systemorderarrangementmethodsequencestructureschemeplanformformatframeworkcompositionconstitutionshapemake-upconfiguration
   • 2. a model or design used as a guide in needlework and other crafts: "make a pattern for the zigzag edge" Similar samplespecimenswatch
   • ▪ a set of instructions to be followed in making a sewn or knitted item: "the bag contained wool, needles, and a pattern for a sweater"
   • ▪ a wooden or metal model from which a mould is made for a casting: "to make a split mould a wooden pattern has to be made first"
   • ▪ a sample of cloth or wallpaper: "it is easier to choose carpets from the roll than from a pattern book" Similar samplespecimenswatch
   • 3. an example for others to follow: "he set the pattern for subsequent study"

   verb

   • 1. decorate with a repeated design: "he was sitting on a soft carpet patterned in rich colours"
   • 2. give a regular or intelligible form to: "the brain not only receives information, but interprets and patterns it"
   • ▪ give something a form based on that of (something else): "the clothing is patterned on athletes' wear"

   Word Origin Middle Englishpatron ‘something serving as a model’, from Old French (see patron). The change in sense is from the idea of a patron giving an example to be copied. Metathesis in the second syllable occurred in the 16th century. By 1700 patron ceased to be used of things, and the two forms became differentiated in sense.

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • P

     3

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • T

     1

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

   • N

     1

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