patcher

patch ► NOUN 1) a piece of material used to mend a hole or strengthen a weak point. 2) a small area differing in colour, composition, or texture from its surroundings. 3) a small plot of land: a cabbage patch. 4) Brit. informal a brief period of time: a bad patch. 5) Brit. informal an area for which someone is responsible or in which they operate. 6) a shield worn over a sightless or injured eye. 7) an adhesive piece of drug-impregnated material worn on the skin so that the drug may be gradually absorbed. 8) a temporary electrical or telephone connection. 9) Computing a small piece of code inserted to correct or enhance a program.

► VERB 1) mend, strengthen, or protect by means of a patch. 2) (patch up) informal treat (injuries) or repair (something) hastily or temporarily. 3) (patch up) informal settle (a quarrel or dispute). 4) (patch together) assemble hastily. 5) connect by a temporary electrical, radio, or telephonic connection.

● not a patch on — Cf. ↑not a patch on

DERIVATIVES patcher noun.

ORIGIN perhaps from Old French dialect pieche 'piece' .