wildcat

wildcat
wildcat [wīld′kat΄]
n.
pl. wildcats or wildcat
1.
a) any of a large group of fierce, medium-sized, undomesticated cats, including the bobcat, Canada lynx, ocelot, serval, and caracal
b) a house cat that has escaped from domestication: in this sense, usually written wild cat
2. any person regarded as like a wildcat in fierceness, aggressiveness, etc.
☆ 3. an unsound or risky business scheme
☆ 4. an oil well drilled in an area not previously known to have oil
5. Naut. a drum on a windlass, constructed to engage the links of a chain cable
adj.
☆ 1. unsound or financially risky [a wildcat venture ]
☆ 2. designating or of an enterprise or undertaking that is illegal, unethical, irregular, unauthorized, etc.; specif., designating a labor strike not officially authorized by the union representing the strikers and in violation of a contract
vi.
wildcatted, wildcatting
☆ 1. to drill for oil in an area previously considered unproductive
2. to engage in wildcat enterprises, etc.
☆ wildcatter
n.

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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