pat (TOUCH)

to touch someone or something gently and usually repeatedly with the hand flat:
He patted my head/patted me on the head affectionately.
I bent down to pat the little puppy.
discreet
careful not to cause embarrassment or attract too much attention, especially by
keeping something secret:
The family made discreet enquiries about his background.
They are very good assistants, very discreet - they wouldn't go shouting to the
press about anything they discovered while working for you.
NOTE: Do not confuse with discrete.

deploy
to use something or someone, especially in an effective way:
The company is reconsidering the way in which it deploys its resources/staff.
My job doesn't really allow me fully to deploy my skills/talents.
endorse (SUPPORT) to make a public statement of your approval or support f
or something or someone:
The National Executive is expected to endorse these recommendations.
FORMAL I fully endorse (= agree with) everything the Chairperson has said.
expropriate
to take away money or property especially for public use without payment to the
owner, or for personal use illegally:
He was discovered to have been expropriating company funds.
confiscate
to take a possession away from someone when you have the right to do so, usually
as a punishment and often for a limited period, after which it is returned to t
he owner:
Miss Edwards has confiscated my comics till the end of term!
His passport was confiscated by the police to prevent him from leaving the count
ry.
comply
to act according to an order, set of rules or request:
He's been ordered to have the dog destroyed because it's dangerous, but he refus
es to comply.
There are serious penalties for failure to comply with the regulations.

evolve
to develop gradually, or to cause something or someone to develop gradually:
Humans evolved from apes.
The company has evolved over the years into a multi-million dollar organization.
Bacteria are evolving resistance to antibiotics.

conciliate
to end a disagreement or someone's anger by acting in a friendly way or slightly
changing your opinions, or to satisfy someone who disagrees with you by acting
in this way:
An independent adviser has been brought in to conciliate between the two sides i
nvolved in the conflict.
These changes have been made in an attempt to conciliate critics of the plan.
Arbitration
arbitrate
to make a judgment in an argument, usually because asked to do so by those invol
ved:
I've been asked to arbitrate between the opposing sides.
An outside adviser has been brought in to arbitrate the dispute between the mana
gement and the union.

Litigation