vt (1)轻拍 (strike gently with the palm of the hand，usu as a sign of affection)[T+n，T+n+prep]：～bunny/ball拍小兔/皮球;He walked up to the horse and～ted its neck. 他走到那匹马跟前，轻轻地拍了拍马脖子。 The coach～ted the player on the back and said a few encouraging words. 教练轻轻地拍了拍选手的后背，说了几句鼓励的话。〖同〗stroke，pet;

(2)拍成 (flatten or shape by patting)[T+n+prep，T+n+adv，C+n+adj]：～one's hair into shape 把头发拍成型;～down the curls/some lumps in the pastry 把卷发/面团上的硬块拍平;～up tortillas 轻轻拍成一块块玉米饼; She～ted her face dry with a towel. 她用毛巾轻轻把脸拍干。

pat sb/oneself on the back 对某人(自己)表示庆贺、鼓励或赞扬：He～ted me on the back for completing so much work. 他对我完成这么多工作表示祝贺。

n (1)轻拍 (light，gentle blow or touch，usu with the palm of the hand and showing affection)[C]：She gave the pillow several～s. 她拍打几下枕头。He gave me a friendly～on the shoulder.他友好地拍了一下我的肩膀。

(2)小团(块)(尤指黄油) ((esp of butter)small piece;lump)[C][N(of)]： a～of butter 一小块黄油;〖同〗cake;

a pat on the back (for sth/doing sth) 鼓励，赞扬：P～s on the back weren't enough; he wanted hard cash. 光表扬不够，他要的是现钱。