wildcat

English

/ˈwaɪldˌkæt/

noun
Definitions
  • A cat that lives in the wilderness, specifically
  • (figurative) A person who acts like a wildcat, usually a violent and easily-angered person or a sexually vigorous one.
  • (American football) An offensive formation with an unbalanced offensive line and a snap directly to the running back rather than the quarterback.
  • (nautical) A wheel that can be adjusted so as to revolve either with or on the shaft of a capstan.
  • (firearms) .
  • (uncommon) , a strike undertaken without authorization from the relevant trade union.
  • (obsolete) , notes issued by a wildcat bank.

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