pet

An animal kept as a companion or otherwise for pleasure, rather than for some practical benefit or use.

Something kept as a companion, including inanimate objects (pet rock, pet plant, etc.).

Papyrus: This is my brother's pet rock. He always forgets to feed it. As usual, I have to take responsibility.

One who is excessively loyal to a superior and receives preferential treatment.

Any person or animal especially cherished and indulged; a darling.

At first she sat silent; but that could not last: she had resolved to make a pet of her little cousin, as she would have him to be; and she commenced stroking his curls, and kissing his cheek, and offering him tea in her saucer, like a baby.

the love of cronies, pets, and favourites

To stroke or fondle (an animal).

I really love to pet cute puppies.

To stroke or fondle (another person) amorously.

We started petting each other the moment we were alone.

1970-1975, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure We kissed & petted for about 15 mins & he still wasn't hard, altho he acted like he was enjoying himself.

To treat as a pet; to fondle; to indulge.

His daughter was petted and spoiled.

[…] the American dramatist has had to waste most of his first act elaborately planting the information that his Mister Quex is rich, petted by Society, and altogether more spectacular than the common run of men.

To be a pet.

To be peevish; to sulk.

He sure is queasie stomach't that must pet, and puke, at such a trivial circumstance

Favourite; cherished; the focus of one's (usually positive) attention.

a pet project

a pet child

Kept or treated as a pet.

pet rock

Good; ideal.

“Now,” said Hands, “look there; there’s a pet bit for to beach a ship in. Fine flat sand, never a cat's paw, trees all around of it, and flowers a-blowing like a garding on that old ship.”