noun / verb
patch
PATCH/pætʃ/
A small covering or local repair that protects something or makes it usable.
A stitched cloth patch covers the worn hole in the jeans.
Etymology
The origin is uncertain, but the early meaning was a piece of cloth used for mending. Uses included small facial coverings that concealed blemishes or enhanced beauty, connecting repair with decoration.
In context
I used pressure monitoring equipment to pinpoint the leak and worked with my team to reduce water loss with a temporary sandbag patch while preparing for a permanent repair.
More examples
- We patch the leaking roof before the next storm.
- The mechanic applies a patch to the punctured inner tube.
- The software patch fixes a security flaw without replacing the whole program.
Forms
patch · patches · patched · patching