cat

cat¹

noun

1》 a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. [Felis catus.]

    ↘any member of the cat family (Felidae), which includes the lion, tiger, leopard, etc.

2》 informal a malicious or spiteful woman.

3》 historical short for cat-o'-nine-tails.

verb (cats, catting, catted) Nautical raise (an anchor) from the surface of the water to the cathead.

Phrases

the cat's pyjamas (or the cat's meow) chiefly N. Amer. another term for the cat's whiskers (see cat's whisker).

let the cat out of the bag informal reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.

like a cat on a hot tin roof (Brit. also on hot bricks) informal very agitated or anxious.

not have a cat in hell's chance informal have no chance at all.

put (or set) the cat among the pigeons Brit. say or do something likely to cause trouble or controversy.

see which way the cat jumps informal see what direction events are taking before committing oneself.

Derivatives

catlike adjective

Origin

OE catt, catte, of Gmc origin.

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cat²

noun a catalytic converter.

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cat³

noun a catamaran.