ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( plural cat's-paws )
1. : a light air that ruffles the surface of the water in irregular patches during a calm
2.
[so called from the fable of the monkey that used a cat's paw to draw roasting chestnuts from the fire]
: one used by another to accomplish his purposes : dupe , tool
had no intention of becoming a cat's-paw for either belligerent — F.L.Paxson
3. : a hitch in the bight of a rope so made as to form two eyes into which a tackle may be hooked
4. : cat's-foot