cat

cat

cat¹ [kat]

n.

pl. cats or cat [ME & OE, both < a general European root < LL cattus; prob. of Afr orig.]

1. any of a family (Felidae) of carnivores, including the lion, tiger, cougar, etc., characterized by a lithe body and, in all species but the cheetah, retractile claws

2. a small, lithe, soft-furred animal (Felis cattus) of this family, domesticated since ancient times and often kept as a pet or for killing mice

3.

a) a person regarded as a cat in some way

b) a woman who makes spiteful remarks

4. CAT-O'-NINE-TAILS

☆ 5. a catfish

6. a catboat

7. TIPCAT

☆ 8. [C-] CATERPILLAR (tractor)

☆ 9. Slang

a) a jazz musician or enthusiast

b) any person, esp. a man

10. Naut. a tackle for hoisting an anchor to the cathead

vt.

catted, catting

to hoist (an anchor) to the cathead

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☆ cat around

Slang to search promiscuously for sexual partners; be promiscuous: said of a man

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let the cat out of the bag

to let a secret be found out

cat²

abbrev.

1. catalog

2. catechism