n.
Pronunciation: ' kat
Function: noun
Usage: often attrib
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English catt, probably from Late Latin cattus, catta cat
Date: before 12th century
1 a : a carnivorous mammal ( Felis catus ) long domesticated as a pet and for catching rats and mice b : any of a family (Felidae) of carnivorous usually solitary and nocturnal mammals (as the domestic cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah)
2 : a malicious woman
3 : a strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship
4 a : CATBOAT b : CATAMARAN
5 : CAT-O'-NINE-TAILS
6 : CATFISH
7 a : a player or devotee of jazz b : GUY