packet — ONAD

packet /ˈpakət, ˈpækət

▸ noun

1 a paper or cardboard container, typically one in which goods are packed to be sold:

sow seeds 2 to 3 inches apart or as recommended on the seed packets.

▪ the contents of a packet:

he smoked a packet of cigarettes a day.

▪ South African a plastic bag with handles, especially one supplied by a store to carry goods purchased there:

reusable alternatives will be available to encourage customers to stop using the packets.

2 Computing a block of data transmitted across a network.

3 (a packet) British informal a large sum of money:

a hectic social life could cost a packet.

4 (also packet boat) dated a ship traveling at regular intervals between two ports, originally for the conveyance of mail.

▸ verb

(packets, packeting, packeted)

[with object] make up into or wrap up in a packet:

I grew my own sunflowers and packeted the seeds

(as adjective packeted) packeted fruit pies.

– ORIGIN mid 16th century : diminutive of pack1, perhaps from Anglo-Norman French; compare with Anglo-Latin paccettum.