Palabras (M. Ado, iii. 4) and Paucas [pocas] palabras (T. Sh. Ind.) Sp., words, few words.
Parish top (Tw. N. i. 3). It was the custom to keep a large whipping-top in each parish in the country parts for the peasantry to use in frosty weather to keep them warm with exercise.
Partlet (W. T. ii. 3, 1 H. IV. iii. 3), the name of the hen in Chaucer's Tale of the Nonnes Prest—used in these places of a woman who, like her, gave advice, etc., to her husband.
Passy-measure (Tw. N. v. 1), the Italian passo mezzo. It was a slow grave dance, correlative to the Galliard, but with only half the number of steps. It may have been the same as the Pavin (from pavo?), which is joined with it.
Patch (C. of Err. iii. 1, M. of V. iii. 5, Macb. v. 3), fool. "Patch was the name of a Fool kept by Cardinal Wolsey, and who deservedly had the honour of transmitting his appellation to a very numerous body of descendants, he being, as Wilson observes in his Art of Rhetorique, 1553, 'a notable fool in his time'" (Gifford on Mass. New Way, etc. iii. 2). He may, however, have been so named from his dress.
Path (J. C. ii. 1), to pace, walk, go along.
"Pathing young Henry's unadvised ways."
Drayton, Duke Humphrey's Epistle.
"Where from the neighbouring hills her passage Wey doth path."
Id. Polyolb. ii.