Pate

Pate

Noun · /peɪt/ (head) · /ˈpɑː.teɪ/ (food)

Definition

(1) /peɪt/ (archaic, humorous, or poetic) a person's head, especially the top of the head — he patted his bald pate; shining pate. (2) /ˈpɑː.teɪ/ (also pâté) a rich savoury paste or spread made from finely minced and seasoned meat, fish, or vegetables — pâté de foie gras, chicken liver pâté.

Origin

Head sense: from Middle English, of uncertain origin — possibly from Old French, though the exact etymology is disputed. Used from the fourteenth century, now largely archaic or jocular except in set phrases. Food sense: from French pâté (a pie or paste), from Old French pasté, related to pastry and paste — ultimately from Late Latin pasta. The accent in pâté indicating the French origin and the lengthened vowel. The food pâté entering English from French cuisine and becoming established in English from the eighteenth century, with or without the accent in informal use.