wild cat

English

noun
Definitions
  • An undomesticated felid, as tigers or lions.
  • A feral cat.
  • (uncommon) (alternative spelling of) wildcat, (UK) the Old World wildcats (Felis silvestris) or (US) the bobcat (Lynx rufus) and other New World lynxes.
  • (uncommon) (alternative spelling of) wildcat in its other extended senses.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English wyld cat affix from English wild + English cat (former derogatory term for a person).

Origin

English

cat

Gloss

former derogatory term for a person

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms