from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Patio \Pa"ti*o\ (p[aum]"t[-e]*[-o]), n. [Sp., a court] (Metal)
A paved yard or floor where ores are cleaned and sorted, or
where ore, salt, mercury, etc., are trampled by horses, to
effect intermixture and amalgamation.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The patio process is used to reduce silver ores by
amalgamation.
[1913 Webster]
2. In Spain, Spanish America, etc., a court or courtyard of a
house or other building; esp., an inner court open to the
sky.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. (p[a^]t"[-e]*[=o]`) A usually paved area adjacent to a
dwelling, used for outdoor lounging, dining, receptions of
guests, etc.
[PJC]