pussycatn.adj.

Brit.

/ˈpʊsɪkat/, U.S.

/ˈpʊsiˌkæt/

Forms: see pussy n. and cat n.¹

Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: pussy n., cat n.¹

Etymology: < pussy n. + cat n.¹ Compare earlier puss-cat n. With sense A. 3 compare pussy n. 5a, pussy willow n., catkin n.

colloquial.

A. n.

1. colloquial (originally nursery). A cat.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun]

cata800

bad?a1325

gibc1400

baudrons?a1500

house cat?1527

puss-cata1529

puss1533

puss1598

mewer1611

mewler1611

Tibert1616

malkina1627

grimalkin1630

meower1632

miauler1632

pussycat1698

pussy1699

tigerkin1849

moggie1911

pussums1912

mog1926

1698 T. Dilke Pretenders ii. 17 Tye a Collar about my neck and lead me thither in the shape of Towzer, if dow tinkst fit, my Minky. Nay, I'll be dy Pussy-cat, dy Puppy-dog, dy any ting, my little pitty Minky.

1773 Sailor's Descr. House of Commons 11 Feb. in Nauticks (1783) II. 31 When pussy-cat sleep [sic], the little mice play.

1797 Columbian Almanac 27 At last I had the fortitude to put out my head: when, to my eternal confusion, mortification, and disgrace, I saw—Poor Pussey Cat.

1805 Songs for Nursery 40 Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been I've been to London to see the queen.

1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. 154 As affectionate as a pussy cat.

1870 E. Lear Nonsense Songs, Stories, Bot. & Alphabets (1871) sig. 2a The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat.

1894 M. M. Dodge When Life is Young 196 The seven little pussy-cats went out that night to tea, Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free.

1933 E. A. Robertson Ordinary Families x. 215 ‘Pore ole pussycat!’ Dru would lapse into baby-talk.

1955 Sci. 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.

1991 A. Blair More Tea at Miss Cranston's xiii. 150 You got to taste the shortbread or blackbun and the ginger wine... Crabbe's... no' very nice really, but you sat there mim as a pussy cat and sipped it.

2. A person (frequently a girl or woman) who exhibits characteristics associated with a cat, as slyness, playfulness, attractiveness, etc. Now esp.: a gentle, amiable, or submissive person.Also used as a pet or proper name and as a term of endearment.

ΘΚΠ

society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > [noun] > submissive person

passive1532

pussycat1823

1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang 22 Cat, pussey, a pert coxcomical little lass, with a round face, and nose curled up.

1853 C. M. Yonge Heir of Redclyffe I. i. 5 Charlotte laughed too, an imprudent proceeding, as it attracted attention. Her father smiled, saying, half-reprovingly,—‘So you are there, inquisitive pussy-cat?’

1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xiii. 127 The little affected pussy-cat made a set at him, bridled and talked in her mincing voice, with all her airs, and made him take a great deal of notice of her.

1859 J. 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!

1864 Realm 6 Apr. 1 What a purblind old pussy-cat, instead of the light and agile kitten we imagined was tripping before us!

1882 E. J. Worboise Sissie ix. 91 ‘What a wild pussy-cat she is!’ said her father, looking fondly at her, as she dashed abruptly from his side.

1909 W. S. Churchill Let. 18 Oct. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill Speaking for Themselves (1999) ii. 33 I feel a vivid realisation of all you are to me... Then too I think of this beautiful pussy cat that purrs and prinks itself before me, & I feel as proud & conceited as those peacocks to possess it.

1955 Amer. Speech 30 119 Pussy cat, a pilot who is overcautious, fearful, or reluctant.

1959 Times 17 Aug. 12/7 Ronder, a sly pussy-cat of a man, able to scratch as well as purr.

1973 E. 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.’

1976 C. Dexter Last seen Wearing v. 36 The secret sex-life of a glamorous Hollywood pussycat.

1990 Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois) 30 Nov. i. 2/2 What if: Saddam Hussein is actually a pussycat?

2002 Smash Hits 20 Mar. 31/4 Mazzer may look scary, but people in the know assure us he's really a pussycat.

3. A willow or hazel catkin. Cf. pussy n. 5a. Now English regional.

ΘΚΠ

the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > inflorescence or collective flower > [noun] > of particular type, shape, or arrangement > catkin(s) or unisexual in florescence

chatc1400

tappette1561

catkin1578

chaton1578

kitekin1578

taglet1578

tag1597

cat's tail1611

nucament1633

tassel1646

catling1665

iulus1668

amentum1720

jul1725

ament1783

pussycat1850

lamb's tails1882

1850 C. M. Yonge Henrietta's Wish xv. 216 The silver ‘pussycats’ on the withy.

1861 S. Thomson Wanderings among Wild Flowers (rev. ed.) iii. 169 Every boy knows the ‘pussy-cats’ of the willow.

1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) 421 Pussy-cat.., the catkins of the willow.

1903 A. Bubb in Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 654/1 [Gloucestershire] Pussy-cat [sc. a catkin].

†4. Cattiness, spitefulness. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [noun] > quality

maliciousness1447

peevishness1468

spitefulness1530

sinisterness1611

viciousness1879

cattishness1894

pussycat1911

cattiness1920

bitchiness1934

1911 W. J. Locke Glory of Clementina Wing xxiv. 361 Let us have a straight talk like sensible women, and put the pussy-cat aside.

B. adj.

Resembling or suggestive of a cat; (in later use) esp. gentle, amiable, submissive Cf. sense A. 2.

ΘΚΠ

the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [adjective] > resembling a cat

cattish1598

pussy1842

feline1843

pussycat1867

feliform-

1867 J. W. De Forest Miss Ravenel's Conversion ix. 124 Miss Ravenel spit in her angry pussy-cat fashion when her father read to her this passage of the letter.

1923 W. H. Hudson Hind in Richmond Park xiv. 203 The animals of any species all sneeze in the same way;..but we have infinite variety, from the little pussy-cat puff of sound emitted by some women to the awful outbursts of noise in some men.

1949 S. Lewis God-seeker xxxiv. 231 This day I made three Resolutions... To not be irritated by the Speezers' pussycat smiles and their hints that I am a mere country bumpkin.

1977 Washington Post (Nexis) 10 Sept. a5 The Senate maintained its pussycat attitude on presidential appointments. Some sub-Cabinet names were withdrawn..when it became clear they could not win approval.

1991 N.Y. Times 4 Dec. a1/4 I assure you that in pit bull mode or pussy cat mode (your choice, as always), I am ready to help.

2005 Western Mail (Cardiff) (Nexis) 4 Apr. 34 Media bosses..tend to be seen as pushovers and fall into the pussycat category.

Compounds

pussycat bow n. a large floppy bow, usually worn at the neck.

ΘΚΠ

the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > trimmings or ornamentation > bow

butterfly bow1830

pussycat bow1902

pussy-bow1946

1902 Lady's Realm Dec. 287 Really there is something extremely fascinating in a ‘pussycat bow’; it is so feminine, frivolous, and charming.

1932 Winnipeg Free Press 23 Mar. 12/4 (advt.) Easter Scarves. Linker, Lyolene, Sore Throat, or Pussy Cat Bow types, in daring dashing shades lend that riotous air Spring suggests.

1967 S. Pakenham Sixty Miles from England xv. 204 Lady Blanche, in her white mantilla and pussy-cat bow of gentian silk.

1977 J. Bingham Marriage Bureau Murders ii. 21 Her white silk blouse, with the pussy cat bow tied at the neck, lent a touch of femininity.

2000 Marie Claire (Johannesburg) Oct. 132 (caption) Pink crinkle vest..blue suedette pants..Pink pussycat-bow blouse.

Derivatives

ˈpussycat-like adj.

ΚΠ

1873 St. James' Mag. 11 699 The cat-bird's pussy-cat-like note is often heard at daybreak.

1881 J. E. H. Thomson Upland Tarn 26 Her noiseless pussy-cat-like ways.

a1934 J. Hawthorne Memoirs (1938) ii. 65 The dew was on the grass; but Abbie picked up her skirts, and with the pussycat-like dexterity of women, escaped the stains of travel.

1995 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald Jrnl. 11 Sept. a12 The pussycat-like traits of the cheetah.

This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022).

单词	pussycat
释义	pussycatn.adj. Brit. /ˈpʊsɪkat/, U.S. /ˈpʊsiˌkæt/ Forms: see pussy n. and cat n.¹ Origin: Formed within English, by compounding. Etymons: pussy n., cat n.¹ Etymology: < pussy n. + cat n.¹ Compare earlier puss-cat n. With sense A. 3 compare pussy n. 5a, pussy willow n., catkin n. colloquial. A. n. 1. colloquial (originally nursery). A cat. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun] cata800 bad?a1325 gibc1400 baudrons?a1500 house cat?1527 puss-cata1529 puss1533 puss1598 mewer1611 mewler1611 Tibert1616 malkina1627 grimalkin1630 meower1632 miauler1632 pussycat1698 pussy1699 tigerkin1849 moggie1911 pussums1912 mog1926 1698 T. Dilke Pretenders ii. 17 Tye a Collar about my neck and lead me thither in the shape of Towzer, if dow tinkst fit, my Minky. Nay, I'll be dy Pussy-cat, dy Puppy-dog, dy any ting, my little pitty Minky. 1773 Sailor's Descr. House of Commons 11 Feb. in Nauticks (1783) II. 31 When pussy-cat sleep [sic], the little mice play. 1797 Columbian Almanac 27 At last I had the fortitude to put out my head: when, to my eternal confusion, mortification, and disgrace, I saw—Poor Pussey Cat. 1805 Songs for Nursery 40 Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been I've been to London to see the queen. 1844 ‘J. Slick’ High Life N.Y. I. 154 As affectionate as a pussy cat. 1870 E. Lear Nonsense Songs, Stories, Bot. & Alphabets (1871) sig. 2a The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea In a beautiful pea-green boat. 1894 M. M. Dodge When Life is Young 196 The seven little pussy-cats went out that night to tea, Their heads were smooth and glossy, their tails were swinging free. 1933 E. A. Robertson Ordinary Families x. 215 ‘Pore ole pussycat!’ Dru would lapse into baby-talk. 1955 Sci. 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. 1991 A. Blair More Tea at Miss Cranston's xiii. 150 You got to taste the shortbread or blackbun and the ginger wine... Crabbe's... no' very nice really, but you sat there mim as a pussy cat and sipped it. 2. A person (frequently a girl or woman) who exhibits characteristics associated with a cat, as slyness, playfulness, attractiveness, etc. Now esp.: a gentle, amiable, or submissive person.Also used as a pet or proper name and as a term of endearment. ΘΚΠ society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > [noun] > submissive person passive1532 pussycat1823 1823 ‘J. Bee’ Slang 22 Cat, pussey, a pert coxcomical little lass, with a round face, and nose curled up. 1853 C. M. Yonge Heir of Redclyffe I. i. 5 Charlotte laughed too, an imprudent proceeding, as it attracted attention. Her father smiled, saying, half-reprovingly,—‘So you are there, inquisitive pussy-cat?’ 1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. xiii. 127 The little affected pussy-cat made a set at him, bridled and talked in her mincing voice, with all her airs, and made him take a great deal of notice of her. 1859 J. 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! 1864 Realm 6 Apr. 1 What a purblind old pussy-cat, instead of the light and agile kitten we imagined was tripping before us! 1882 E. J. Worboise Sissie ix. 91 ‘What a wild pussy-cat she is!’ said her father, looking fondly at her, as she dashed abruptly from his side. 1909 W. S. Churchill Let. 18 Oct. in W. S. Churchill & C. S. Churchill Speaking for Themselves (1999) ii. 33 I feel a vivid realisation of all you are to me... Then too I think of this beautiful pussy cat that purrs and prinks itself before me, & I feel as proud & conceited as those peacocks to possess it. 1955 Amer. Speech 30 119 Pussy cat, a pilot who is overcautious, fearful, or reluctant. 1959 Times 17 Aug. 12/7 Ronder, a sly pussy-cat of a man, able to scratch as well as purr. 1973 E. 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.’ 1976 C. Dexter Last seen Wearing v. 36 The secret sex-life of a glamorous Hollywood pussycat. 1990 Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois) 30 Nov. i. 2/2 What if: Saddam Hussein is actually a pussycat? 2002 Smash Hits 20 Mar. 31/4 Mazzer may look scary, but people in the know assure us he's really a pussycat. 3. A willow or hazel catkin. Cf. pussy n. 5a. Now English regional. ΘΚΠ the world > plants > part of plant > reproductive part(s) > flower or part containing reproductive organs > inflorescence or collective flower > [noun] > of particular type, shape, or arrangement > catkin(s) or unisexual in florescence chatc1400 tappette1561 catkin1578 chaton1578 kitekin1578 taglet1578 tag1597 cat's tail1611 nucament1633 tassel1646 catling1665 iulus1668 amentum1720 jul1725 ament1783 pussycat1850 lamb's tails1882 1850 C. M. Yonge Henrietta's Wish xv. 216 The silver ‘pussycats’ on the withy. 1861 S. Thomson Wanderings among Wild Flowers (rev. ed.) iii. 169 Every boy knows the ‘pussy-cats’ of the willow. 1889 E. Peacock Gloss. Words Manley & Corringham, Lincs. (ed. 2) 421 Pussy-cat.., the catkins of the willow. 1903 A. Bubb in Eng. Dial. Dict. IV. 654/1 [Gloucestershire] Pussy-cat [sc. a catkin]. †4. Cattiness, spitefulness. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [noun] > quality maliciousness1447 peevishness1468 spitefulness1530 sinisterness1611 viciousness1879 cattishness1894 pussycat1911 cattiness1920 bitchiness1934 1911 W. J. Locke Glory of Clementina Wing xxiv. 361 Let us have a straight talk like sensible women, and put the pussy-cat aside. B. adj. Resembling or suggestive of a cat; (in later use) esp. gentle, amiable, submissive Cf. sense A. 2. ΘΚΠ the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [adjective] > resembling a cat cattish1598 pussy1842 feline1843 pussycat1867 feliform- 1867 J. W. De Forest Miss Ravenel's Conversion ix. 124 Miss Ravenel spit in her angry pussy-cat fashion when her father read to her this passage of the letter. 1923 W. H. Hudson Hind in Richmond Park xiv. 203 The animals of any species all sneeze in the same way;..but we have infinite variety, from the little pussy-cat puff of sound emitted by some women to the awful outbursts of noise in some men. 1949 S. Lewis God-seeker xxxiv. 231 This day I made three Resolutions... To not be irritated by the Speezers' pussycat smiles and their hints that I am a mere country bumpkin. 1977 Washington Post (Nexis) 10 Sept. a5 The Senate maintained its pussycat attitude on presidential appointments. Some sub-Cabinet names were withdrawn..when it became clear they could not win approval. 1991 N.Y. Times 4 Dec. a1/4 I assure you that in pit bull mode or pussy cat mode (your choice, as always), I am ready to help. 2005 Western Mail (Cardiff) (Nexis) 4 Apr. 34 Media bosses..tend to be seen as pushovers and fall into the pussycat category. Compounds pussycat bow n. a large floppy bow, usually worn at the neck. ΘΚΠ the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > parts of clothing > [noun] > trimmings or ornamentation > bow butterfly bow1830 pussycat bow1902 pussy-bow1946 1902 Lady's Realm Dec. 287 Really there is something extremely fascinating in a ‘pussycat bow’; it is so feminine, frivolous, and charming. 1932 Winnipeg Free Press 23 Mar. 12/4 (advt.) Easter Scarves. Linker, Lyolene, Sore Throat, or Pussy Cat Bow types, in daring dashing shades lend that riotous air Spring suggests. 1967 S. Pakenham Sixty Miles from England xv. 204 Lady Blanche, in her white mantilla and pussy-cat bow of gentian silk. 1977 J. Bingham Marriage Bureau Murders ii. 21 Her white silk blouse, with the pussy cat bow tied at the neck, lent a touch of femininity. 2000 Marie Claire (Johannesburg) Oct. 132 (caption) Pink crinkle vest..blue suedette pants..Pink pussycat-bow blouse. Derivatives ˈpussycat-like adj. ΚΠ 1873 St. James' Mag. 11 699 The cat-bird's pussy-cat-like note is often heard at daybreak. 1881 J. E. H. Thomson Upland Tarn 26 Her noiseless pussy-cat-like ways. a1934 J. Hawthorne Memoirs (1938) ii. 65 The dew was on the grass; but Abbie picked up her skirts, and with the pussycat-like dexterity of women, escaped the stains of travel. 1995 Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald Jrnl. 11 Sept. a12 The pussycat-like traits of the cheetah. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2007; most recently modified version published online June 2022). < n.adj.1698
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