~ 1
■ noun
1》 a small domesti~ed carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. [ Felis ~us .]
↘any member of the ~ family (Felidae), which includes the lion, tiger, leopard, etc.
2》 informal a malicious or spiteful woman.
3》 historical short for ~-o'-nine-tails .
■ verb ( ~s , ~ting , ~ted ) Nautical raise (an anchor) from the surface of the water to the ~head.
Phrases
the ~'s pyjamas (or the ~'s meow ) chiefly N. Amer. another term for the ~'s whiskers (see ~'s whisker ).
let the ~ out of the bag informal reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.
like a ~ on a hot tin roof ( Brit. also on hot bricks ) informal very agitated or anxious.
not have a ~ in hell's chance informal have no chance at all.
put (or set ) the ~ among the pigeons Brit. say or do something likely to cause trouble or controversy.
see which way the ~ jumps informal see what direction events are taking before committing oneself.
Derivatives
~like adjective
Origin
OE ~t , ~te , of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
■ noun a ~alytic converter.
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~ 3
■ noun a ~amaran.