Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun An act of patting somebody's clothes to check for concealed weapons, etc.

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Bill Powell, 48, who has been coming to Jets games for 16 years, noticed the uptick in security, calling his patdown "more thorough," but necessary under the circumstances.

    NY Daily News ERIC BARROW 2011

  • In one variant of this story, the handshake evolved from an elbow-to-wrist "patdown" to check for hidden knives; in another, the shaking motion was supposed to dislodge any sharp objects that may have been kept in the sleeve.

    Interesting Thing of the Day 2008

  • In one variant of this story, the handshake evolved from an elbow-to-wrist "patdown" to check for hidden knives; in another, the shaking motion was supposed to dislodge any sharp objects that may have been kept in the sleeve.

    Interesting Thing of the Day 2008

  • Murley sued the TSA for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress after she was forced to expose her breasts during a patdown.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

  • Lynsie Murley, a 24-year old woman from Amarillo, Texas has won a lawsuit she filed in 2010 against the TSA over what she claims was an extremely embarrassing patdown, according to MSNBC.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

  • The patdown in question occurred at the Corpus Christi airport in May 2008.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

  • The patdown in question occurred at the Corpus Christi airport in May 2008.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

  • On the other hand, the decision provides unscrupulous arresting officers with the unfettered opportunity to conduct intrusive, invasive and arguably humiliating patdown searches on a whim — all under the guise of officer safety.

    Sui Generis--a New York law blog: 2009

  • Lynsie Murley, a 24-year old woman from Amarillo, Texas has won a lawsuit she filed in 2010 against the TSA over what she claims was an extremely embarrassing patdown, according to MSNBC.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

  • Murley sued the TSA for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress after she was forced to expose her breasts during a patdown.

    Justice For Woman Who Sued TSA Over Patdown? Kate Auletta 2011

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