Pet (?), n. [Formerly peat, perhaps from Ir. peat, akin to Gael. peata.]
1.
A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand.
2.
Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a fondling; a darling; often, a favorite child.
The love of cronies, pets, and favorites.
Tatler.
3. [Prob. fr. Pet a fondling, hence, the behavior or humor of a spoiled child.]
A slight fit of peevishness or fretfulness.
"In a
pet she started up."
Tennyson.
© Webster 1913.
Pet, a.
Petted; indulged; admired; cherished; as, a pet child; a pet lamb; a pet theory.
Some young lady's pet curate.
F. Harrison.
Pet cock. [Perh. for petty cock.] Mach. A little faucet in a water pipe or pump, to let air out, or at the end of a steam cylinder, to drain it.<-- also petcock -->
© Webster 1913.
Pet, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Petted; p. pr. & vb. n. Petting.]
To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge; as, she was petted and spoiled.
© Webster 1913.
Pet, v. i.
To be a pet.
Feltham.
© Webster 1913.