Definition of cat

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CAT >

cat    (kt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. A small carnivorous mammal (Felis catus or F. domesticus) domesticated since early times as a catcher of rats and mice and as a pet and existing in several distinctive breeds and varieties.
   2. Any of various other carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae, which includes the lion, tiger, leopard, and lynx.
   3. The fur of a domestic cat.
2. Informal A woman who is regarded as spiteful.
3. Slang
   1. A person, especially a man.
   2. A player or devotee of jazz music.
4. A cat-o'-nine-tails.
5. A catfish.
6. Nautical
   1. A cathead.
   2. A device for raising an anchor to the cathead.
   3. A catboat.
   4. A catamaran.

VERB:
cat·ted, cat·ting, cats
VERB:
tr.
Nautical

To hoist an anchor to (the cathead).

VERB:
intr.
Slang

To look for sexual partners; have an affair or affairs: "catting around with every lady in sight" (Gore Vidal).

IDIOM:
let the cat out of the bag

To let a secret be known.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English catt, from Germanic *kattuz. Sense 6d, short for catamaran