pet

Founding-era definition · Webster's 1828 American Dictionary

PET, noun [This word may be contracted from petulant, or belong to the root of that word. Peevish, which is evidently a contracted word, may be from the same root.] A slight fit of peevishness or fretful discontent. Life given for noble purposes must not be thrown away in a pet nor whined away in love. PET, noun [formerly peat. Latin peto.] 1. A cade lamb; a lamb brought up by hand. 2. A fondling; any little animal fondled and indulged. PET, verb transitive To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI

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