¦ noun
1. a piece of material used to cover a torn or weak point.
a shield worn over a sightless or injured eye.
a piece of cloth sewn on to clothing as a badge.
an adhesive piece of drug-impregnated material worn on the skin so that the drug may be gradually absorbed.
historical a small black silk disc worn on the face, especially by women in the 17th and 18th centuries.
2. a small area differently coloured or otherwise distinct.
3. a small piece of ground, especially one used for gardening.
Brit. informal an area for which someone is responsible or in which they operate.
4. Brit. informal a period of time regarded as distinct: a bad patch.
5. a temporary electrical or telephone connection.
a preset configuration or sound data file in an electronic musical instrument.
6. Computing a small piece of code inserted to correct or enhance a program.
¦ verb
1. mend, strengthen, or protect by means of a patch.
(usu. be patched with) cause to become variegated.
2. (patch someone/thing up) informal treat someone's injuries or repair the damage to something, especially hastily.
(patch something together) construct something hastily from unsuitable components.
(patch something up) restore peaceful or friendly relations after a quarrel or dispute.
3. connect by a temporary electrical, radio, or telephonic connection.
4. Computing improve or correct (a routine or program) by inserting a patch.
Phrases
not a patch on Brit. informal greatly inferior to.
Derivatives
patcher noun
Origin
ME: perh. from a var. of OFr. pieche, dialect var. of piece 'piece'.