| 释义 |
ˈpussy-cat
1. A nursery word for a cat.
1805Songs for Nursery 40 Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been I've been to London to see the queen. 1837Marryat Olla Podr. xl, The term pussy cat may be considered tautological. 1844‘J. Slick’ High Life in N.Y. I. 154 As affectionate as a pussy cat. 1871E. Lear Nonsense Songs, Stories, Bot. & Alphabets, The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat. 1933[see baby-talk s.v. baby n. B. 1 d]. 1955Sci. News Let. 26 Mar. 203/1 For better-fed pussycats, add to their diet a good dash of personal attention and a heaping tablespoonful of affection.
2. A willow or hazel catkin: cf. pussy n. 4.
1850C. M. Yonge Henrietta's Wish xv. 216 The silver ‘pussycats’ on the withy. 1861S. Thomson Wild Fl. iii. (ed. 4) 169 Every boy knows the ‘pussy-cats’ of the willow. 1889E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincolnshire (ed. 2) 421 Pussy-cat.., the catkins of the willow.
3. Applied to a person (cf. puss n.1 3, pussy n. 3); now esp. one who is attractive, amiable, or submissive.
1859J. A. Symonds Let. Apr. (1967) I. 184 Dalrymple's brother is going to be married to the Lady Edith Dalhousie: I wrote a solemn letter of congratulae [sic] to the old pussey cat! 1864Realm 6 Apr. 1 What a purblind old pussy-cat, instead of the light and agile kitten we imagined was tripping before us! 1881E. J. Worboise Sissie ix, ‘What a wild pussy-cat she is!’ said her father, looking fondly at her, as she dashed abruptly from his side. 1955Amer. Speech XXX. 119 Pussy cat, a pilot who is overcautious, fearful, or reluctant. 1959Times 17 Aug. 12/7 Ronder, a sly pussy-cat of a man, able to scratch as well as purr. 1964L. Nkosi Rhythm of Violence 25 Jimmy: (to Mary) Don't worry pussycat! 1973E. Jong Fear of Flying 89 ‘Some men claim to be afraid of me.’ Adrian laughed. ‘You're a sweetheart,’ he said, ‘a pussy-cat—as you Americans say.’ 1975P. G. Winslow Death of Angel iv. 104 He can be a dear, but he's also one of the chief pussycats of the psychic world. 1976C. Dexter Last seen Wearing v. 36 The secret sex-life of a glamorous Hollywood pussycat. 1978G. Vidal Kalki i. 7, I was the one who paid the alimony... Women wrote me ugly letters. I was not apparently, a pussycat.
4. Cattiness, spitefulness. rare.
1911W. J. Locke Glory of Clementina Wing xxiv. 361 Let us have a straight talk like sensible women, and put the pussy-cat aside.
5. Comb., as pussy-cat-like adj.; pussy-cat bow, a soft, floppy bow.
1964Sunday Express 2 Feb. 18/3 For dressy occasions a *pussycat bow..under a high, round jacket collar. 1967[see gentian 2 b]. 1977J. Bingham Marriage Bureau Murders ii. 21 Her white silk blouse, with the pussy cat bow tied at the neck, lent a touch of femininity.
1881J. E. H. Thomson Upland Tarn 26 Her noiseless *pussy-cat-like ways. |