Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Patch.

 Patavin’ity.Patch (To). 
CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
 
Patch.
 
A fool; so called from the motley or patched dress worn by licensed fools.   1
       
“What a pied ninny’s this! thou scurvy patch!”
       
Shakespeare: The Tempest, iii. 2.
   Cross-patch. An ill-tempered person. (See above.)   2
   Not a patch upon. Not to be compared with; as, “His horse is not a patch upon mine,” “My patch is better than his garment.”   3
 


 Patavin’ity.Patch (To). 

 
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