The site https://graphicdesign.stackexchange.com/questions/39705/cutting-multiple-lines-curves-with-a-closed-path-in-inkscape made me want to clarify and complete Milazzi and Gibellini's explanations. My so-called pattern transfer example will consist of a blue rectangle, red ellipse, and the ermine pattern.

Draw a rectangle (blue)
Inside it draw a small ellipse (red)
Fill this oval with a pattern (ermine)
The ellipse will take on the rectangle's color
Select all
Do a path > Combine
The pattern is now transferred to the rectangle, which loses its color

If it is desired to return to the ellipse, select all, CTRL-Z, click on the rectangle, delete, and the oval will reappear without color with its pattern.

To transfer a style from one object to another, use Ctrl+C on the source object, then select the target object and do Ctrl+Shift+V.

Oh .nice! A much simpler method