cat's-paw

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [kats-paw]
- /ˈkætsˌpɔ/
- /ˈkæts pɔː/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kats-paw]
- /ˈkætsˌpɔ/

Definitions of cat's-paw word

noun cat's-paw a person used by another as a tool; dupe 3
noun cat's-paw a hitch in the form of two loops, or eyes, in the bight of a line, used for attaching it to a hook 3
noun cat's-paw a pattern of ripples on the surface of water caused by a light wind 3
noun cat's-paw a person used by another to do dangerous, distasteful, or unlawful work; dupe 3
noun cat's-paw a light breeze that ripples the surface of water 3
noun cat's-paw a hitch in the bight of a rope, used to form two loops through which a hook can be passed 3

See all 13 definitions of cat's-paw

Information block about the term

Origin of cat's-paw

First appearance:

before 1650

One of the 45% oldest English words

First recorded in 1650-60

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cat's-paw

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Cat's-paw

cat's-paw popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 32% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

According to our data about 58% of words is more used. This is a rare but used term. It occurs in the pages of specialized literature and in the speech of educated people.

Synonyms for cat's-paw

noun cat's-paw

stooge — an entertainer who feeds lines to the main comedian and usually serves as the butt of his or her jokes.
sucker — a person or thing that sucks.
tool — an implement, especially one held in the hand, as a hammer, saw, or file, for performing or facilitating mechanical operations.
dupe — duplicate.
instrument — a mechanical tool or implement, especially one used for delicate or precision work: surgical instruments.

All 8 Synonyms of cat's-paw