— oatlike , adj.
/oht/ , n.
1. a cereal grass, Avena sativa, cultivated for its edible seed.
2. Usually, oats . ( used with a sing. or pl. v. ) the seed of this plant, used as a food for humans and animals.
3. any of several plants of the same genus, as the wild oat.
4. Archaic. a musical pipe made of an oat straw.
5. feel one's oats , Informal.
a. to feel frisky or lively.
b. to be aware of and use one's importance or power.
6. sow one's wild oats . See wild oat (def. 3).
[ bef. 900; ME ote, OE ate ]