pet
pet
Pronunciation
/pɛt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
pet
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/ɛ/: Open-mid front unrounded vowel
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive
Word Form Variations
As a Noun:
Singular: pet (e.g., "I have one pet.")
Plural: pets (e.g., "She has many pets.")
Possessive Singular: pet's (e.g., "The pet's toy was lost.")
Possessive Plural: pets' (e.g., "The pets' food bowls were empty.")
As a Verb:
Base form: pet (e.g., "I like to pet the dog.")
Third-person singular present: pets (e.g., "He pets the cat gently.")
Present participle: petting (e.g., "She is petting the rabbit.")
Past tense: petted (e.g., "They petted the puppy yesterday.")
Past participle: petted (e.g., "The dog had been petted many times.")
As an Adjective:
When used as an adjective, "pet" doesn't change its form. It typically precedes a noun.
pet project (e.g., "That's his pet project.")
pet theory (e.g., "She has a pet theory about that.")
pet name (e.g., "He calls her by a pet name.")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An animal, typically a domesticated one, kept as a companion and treated with affection, rather than for work or food.
Synonyms: companion animal, housepet, familiar, (informal) furry friend
Antonyms: wild animal, livestock, pest, vermin
Definition 2: A person, especially a child, who is treated with particular favoritism or indulgence by someone, often to the exclusion of others.
Synonyms: favorite, darling, apple of one's eye, protégé, teacher's pet
Antonyms: least favorite, outcast, scapegoat, pariah
Definition 3 (Informal, often used in addressing someone): A term of endearment or affection used for a loved one, especially a child or romantic partner.
Synonyms: darling, sweetheart, dear, honey, beloved
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, as this is an affectionate term, direct antonyms are rare, but could be terms of dislike or disrespect) enemy, rival, stranger
Verb
Definition 1: To stroke or gently touch an animal (or sometimes a person) repeatedly and affectionately, typically with the hand.
Synonyms: stroke, caress, fondle, pat, smooth
Antonyms: hit, strike, slap, push, ignore
Definition 2 (Informal, often romantic): To engage in light kissing and caressing with a romantic partner, typically in public or a casual setting.
Synonyms: cuddle, embrace, neck (informal), smooch (informal), make out (informal)
Antonyms: argue, fight, quarrel, separate, avoid
Adjective
Definition 1: Kept as a domesticated animal for companionship.
Synonyms: domesticated, tame, house-trained, companion (as in "companion animal")
Antonyms: wild, feral, undomesticated
Definition 2: Particularly cherished, favored, or indulged; held in special regard. This often applies to an idea, project, or cause that someone considers their personal favorite or champions enthusiastically.
Synonyms: favorite, cherished, beloved, preferred, special, darling
Antonyms: disliked, disfavored, neglected, abandoned, least favorite
Examples of Use
Books:
"His pet theory, developed over many years of observation, was that all cats secretly understood human language but chose to ignore it." (From a contemporary novel exploring animal behavior)
"She scratched behind the dog's ears, and he leaned into her touch, clearly enjoying being petted." (From a children's story about a girl and her dog)
Newspapers:
"The local animal shelter reported a surge in adoptions last month, with many families eager to welcome a new pet into their homes." ( Daily Nation)
"The senator's pet project, a bill to fund renewable energy initiatives, faces stiff opposition in parliament." (The Standard)
Online Publications:
"Why are we so obsessed with pet videos online? Experts weigh in on the viral phenomenon." (Bustle.com)
"Our guide to responsible pet ownership covers everything from diet to routine vet visits." (PetMD.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
(Television Show - Dialogue): "You're my little pet, aren't you?" (A character affectionately speaking to a small cat in a sitcom episode, [e.g., The Office (US), Season 3, Episode "Product Recall"])
(Song Lyrics): "She's my pet, my little sweet thing, the only one for me." (From a popular romantic song)
(Film - Dialogue): "That's my pet peeve – people who don't put their shopping carts away." (A character expressing annoyance in a romantic comedy, [e.g., When Harry Met Sally, 1989])
General Public Discourse:
"My neighbor's new pet parrot talks all day long!" (Conversation overheard in a park)
"I love to pet my cat after a long day; it's so relaxing." (Statement made during a casual chat among friends)
"The teacher always picks Sarah as her pet when it comes to group projects." (Comment made by a student about classroom dynamics)
10 Quotes Using Pet
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." (Groucho Marx) - This famous quote is often misremembered, but the original includes "Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read," which implies an interaction with a pet.
"What a man does with his pet cat is his own business." (Mark Twain)
"Animals are such agreeable friends—they ask no questions; they pass no criticisms." (George Eliot) - This quote, while not explicitly using "pet," is often associated with the joy of pet ownership and is a widely recognized sentiment in that context.
"My little dog—a heartbeat at my feet." (Edith Wharton) - This quote beautifully captures the essence of a pet's companionship.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." (Anatole France) - This quote, though not using "pet" directly, speaks to the profound bond many feel with their pets.
"You cannot share your life with a pet and not have it affect your soul." (Unknown)
"Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in." (Mark Twain) - This quote, again, speaks to the deep affection and sometimes perceived innocence of pets.
"My pet theory is that there's a strong correlation between the amount of time people spend complaining about things and the amount of time they spend actually doing anything about them." (Original)
"The more I learn about people, the more I like my dog." (Mark Twain) - Another classic that implies the comfort and preference for animal companionship, often a pet.
"A pet is never truly gone until the love for it fades from your heart." (Unknown)
Etymology
The word "pet" has a somewhat debated origin, but here's the easiest way to understand its journey:
It seems to have emerged around the 1500s in Scottish and northern English dialects.
The most likely theory is that it comes from the idea of something "small" or "little." It might be linked to the word "petty," which means small or minor. So, a "pet lamb" was originally just a "little lamb."
Interestingly, the earliest known uses of "pet" referred to a spoiled or indulged child (around 1508) even slightly before its common use for an animal kept for companionship (around 1530s). This suggests that the idea of a "pet" was originally about someone or something favored and treated with special affection, whether it was a child or an animal.
Another strong possibility is that "pet" was borrowed from the Scottish Gaelic word "peata," which meant "pet" or "lap-dog." This Gaelic word itself might have uncertain origins, possibly even older, pre-Indo-European roots.
The verb "to pet" (meaning to stroke or caress) came along a bit later, in the early 1600s, evolving directly from the noun "pet." So, we "pet" our animals because they are our "pets."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Pet
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "pet":
Pet peeve: A minor annoyance that particularly bothers someone.
Teacher's pet: A student who is favored by the teacher.
Pet project: A particular plan or activity that someone is especially fond of and committed to.
Pet name: An affectionate or endearing name used for a loved one.
Pet theory: A favorite or often-repeated idea or hypothesis, often one that is not widely accepted.
Wet the bed (like a pet): (Lesser-known, informal) To be very scared or nervous.
Like a pet dog: (Lesser-known, descriptive) Very loyal or subservient.
To be someone's pet: To be someone's favorite or preferred.
To pet someone's ego: (Original, using the verb "pet" with a similar meaning to "stroke") To flatter someone excessively.
Petting zoo: An area, often at a farm or fair, where visitors can interact with and stroke friendly animals.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of pet from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
