pocket

noun

1》 a small bag sewn into or on clothing so as to form part of it, used for carrying small articles.

    ↘a pouch-like compartment providing separate storage space.

    ↘(one's pocket) informal one's financial resources.

2》 a small, isolated patch, group, or area.

3》 Billiards & Snooker an opening at the corner or on the side of a billiard table into which balls are struck.

4》 American Football a protected area behind the line of scrimmage, from which the quarterback throws a pass.

5》 Baseball a hollow in a baseball mitt in which the ball is caught and held.

adjective of a suitable size for carrying in a pocket: a pocket dictionary.

verb (pockets, pocketing, pocketed)

1》 put into one's pocket.

2》 take for oneself, especially dishonestly.

3》 Billiards & Snooker drive (a ball) into a pocket.

Phrases

in someone's pocket

1》 dependent on someone financially and therefore under their influence.

2》 closely involved with someone.

out of (or in) pocket having lost (or gained) money in a transaction.

put one's hand in one's pocket spend or provide one's own money.

Derivatives

pocketable adjective

pocketful noun (plural pocketfuls).

pocketless adjective

Origin

ME (in the sense 'bag, sack', also used as a measure of quantity): from Anglo-Norman Fr. poket(e), dimin. of poke 'pouch'.