patting 是动词 pat 的现在分词形式,意为"轻拍、轻抚",通常指用手掌温柔地触碰某人或某物,表示安慰、喜爱或鼓励。
/ˈpætɪŋ/
She was patting the dog gently on its head.
她正轻轻地拍着狗的头。
The mother sat beside her crying child, patting him on the back and whispering comforting words until he finally calmed down.
母亲坐在哭泣的孩子身旁,轻拍着他的背,低声说着安慰的话,直到他终于平静下来。
pat 一词最早出现于15世纪,可能源自中古英语,模仿轻拍时发出的声音(拟声词)。它与 tap(轻敲)有相似的语源背景,都与轻柔的击打动作相关。patting 作为其现在分词形式,强调动作的持续进行。