cat
• noun 1 a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. 2 a wild animal resembling this, in particular a lion, tiger, or other member of the cat family. 3 informal a malicious or spiteful woman. — PHRASES all cats are grey in the dark proverb distinguishing qualities are obscured in some circumstances, and if they can’t be perceived they don’t matter. a cat may look at a king proverb even a person of low status or importance has rights. let the cat out of the bag informal reveal a secret by mistake. like a cat on a hot tin roof (Brit. also on hot bricks) informal very agitated or anxious. put (or set) the cat among the pigeons Brit. say or do something likely to cause trouble. when (or while) the cat’s away, the mice will play proverb it is natural for people to do as they like in the absence of someone in authority. — DERIVATIVES catlike adjective. — ORIGIN Old English.
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