1 patch
/ˈpætʃ/
noun
plural
patches
1 patch
/ˈpætʃ/
noun
plural
patches
Britannica Dictionary definition of PATCH
[count]
1
:
a piece of material that is used to cover a hole in something or to provide extra protection to an area
-
His pants have patches on the knees.
-
a jacket with brown patches on the elbows
-
He put a patch over the hole in the tire tube.
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2
a
:
a piece of material that is worn over your eye because of injury or for medical reasons
b
:
a piece of material that contains a drug and that is worn on your skin to allow the drug to slowly enter your body over a long period of time
-
She wears a nicotine patch to help her quit smoking.
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3
:
a small spot or area that is different from the surrounding area
-
There were icy patches [=areas of ice] on the road.
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Fog patches made driving difficult.
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He is developing a bald patch on the back of his head.
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The cat has black patches on its forehead and tail.
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The chair's original paint is still visible in patches. [=in spots]
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— often + of
-
I could see a patch of blue sky through the clouds.
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There are patches of weeds all over the lawn.
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4
:
a small area of land where a particular fruit or vegetable grows
-
a pumpkin/strawberry patch
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5
:
a period of time
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He's going through a bad/difficult/rough patch [=spell] right now.
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6
US
:
a piece of cloth with words or pictures that is sewn on clothing as a decoration or as part of a uniform
:
badge
7
computers
:
a program that corrects or updates an existing program
-
a software patch
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8
British, informal
:
an area that someone knows well, works or lives in, or comes from
-
He knows everything that happens in/on his patch.
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be not a patch on
British, informal
:
to be much less good, appealing, impressive, etc., than (someone or something)
-
The new chairman isn't a patch on his predecessor.
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2 patch
/ˈpætʃ/
verb
patches;
patched;
patching
2 patch
/ˈpætʃ/
verb
patches;
patched;
patching
Britannica Dictionary definition of PATCH
[+ object]
1
:
to cover a hole in (something) with a piece of material
-
She patched (the hole in) the blanket.
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The fence needs to be patched.
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He patched (up) the roof.
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2
:
to connect (a person, telephone call, etc.) to a communication system especially for a short period of time
-
They patched him into the conference call.
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— often + through
-
The operator patched the call/caller through.
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patch together
[phrasal verb]
patch (something) together
or
patch together (something)
:
to put (something) together usually in a quick or careless way
-
She patched a meal together from what was in the cupboard.
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They quickly patched together a new plan.
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patch up
[phrasal verb]
1
patch (something) up
or
patch up (something)
:
to deal with (a problem, disagreement, etc.) in order to improve or repair a relationship
-
They finally patched up [=settled] their differences.
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He is going to try to patch things up with his girlfriend.
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2
patch (something or someone) up
or
patch up (something or someone)
:
to give quick and usually temporary medical treatment to (someone or something)
-
The doctor patched him up, so he's going to be as good as new.
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She patched up his wounded arm.
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— see also 2patch 1 (above)
