Search the Dictionary

An animal of various species of the genera Felis and Lynx. The domestic cat is Felis domestica. The European wild cat (Felis catus) is much larger than the domestic cat. In the United States the name wild cat is commonly applied to the bay lynx (Lynx rufus) See Wild cat, and Tiger cat.

See under Cat.

of quartz or chalcedony, exhibiting opalescent reflections from within, like the eye of a cat. The mane is given to other gems affording like effects, esp. the chrysoberyl.

A plant (Nepeta Glechoma) of the same genus with catnip; ground ivy.

A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air.

See Timothy, Cat-tail, Cirrus.

Having eyes like a cat; hence, able to see in the dark.

See Cat-harping.

One of the short ropes or iron cramps used to brace in the shrouds toward the masts so a to give freer sweep to the yards.

One of two small holes astern, above the gunroom ports, through which hawsers may be passed.

Rigged like a catboat.

A sort of salt, finely granulated, formed out of the bittern or leach brine.

Mica. [Archaic]

top of the stem. The leaves are frequently used for seating chairs, making mats, etc. See Catkin.

signify down, downward, under, against, contrary or opposed to, wholly, completely; as in cataclysm, catarrh. It sometimes drops the final vowel, as in catoptric; and is sometimes changed to cath, as in cathartic, catholic.

One who opposes baptism, especially of infants. [Obs.] Featley.

A vault under altar of a Greek church.

Aee under Force.

Relating to, or having the properties of, a caustic curve formed by reflection. See Caustic, a. Nichol.

h one word is wrongly put for another, or by which a word is wrested from its true signification; as, "To take arms against a sea of troubles. " Shak. "Her voice was but the shadow of a sound." Young.