any of several North American felines of the genus Lynx.Compare lynx.
a yellowish-gray, black-striped feline, Felis sylvestris, of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, resembling and closely related to the domestic cat, with which it interbreeds freely.
a closely related feline, Felis sylvestris libyca, of northern Africa, believed to be the ancestor of the domestic cat.
any of several other of the smaller felines, as the serval or ocelot.
a domestic cat that has become feral.
a quick-tempered or savage person.
Railroads. a single locomotive operating without a train, as one switching cars.
an exploratory well drilled in an effort to discover deposits of oil or gas; a prospect well.
a reckless or unsound enterprise, business, etc.
Informal. wildcatter (def. 2).
Nautical. a shaped drum on a windlass, engaging with the links of an anchor chain.
Informal. wildcat strike.
adjective
characterized by or proceeding from reckless or unsafe business methods: wildcat companies; wildcat stocks.
of or relating to an illicit enterprise or product.
running without control or regulation, as a locomotive, or apart from the regular schedule, as a train.
verb (used without object),wild·cat·ted,wild·cat·ting.
to search an area of unknown or doubtful productivity for oil, ore, or the like, especially as an independent prospector.
Slang. to engage in a wildcat strike.
verb (used with object),wild·cat·ted,wild·cat·ting.
to search (an area of unknown or doubtful productivity) for oil, ore, or the like.
Origin of wildcat
1375–1425; late Middle English wilde cat; compare Middle Low German wildkatte
The Kansas State Wildcats, meanwhile, are protected by a Thundercats-inspired Willie the Wildcat.
The Dummies’ Guide to College Football Bowl Games|Sujay Kumar|January 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Wildcat divided his winnings and laid fifty dollars on the table.
Lady Luck|Hugh Wiley
In that instant a wildcat landed on her back and a vicious claw reached for her face.
The Revellers|Louis Tracy
The rabbi counted out two hundred dollars, but before the Wildcat threw the dice the Mud Turtle beside him spoke up.
Lady Luck|Hugh Wiley
He fought by the side of our Harold when he tamed Griffith, the wildcat of Wales.
The Rival Heirs being the Third and Last Chronicle of Aescendune|A. D. Crake
He had been hearing the cries of the wildcat for several nights.
The Bradys After a Chinese Princess|Francis Worcester Doughty
British Dictionary definitions for wildcat
wildcat
/ (ˈwaɪldˌkæt) /
nounplural-catsor-cat
a wild European cat, Felis silvestris, that resembles the domestic tabby but is larger and has a bushy tail
any of various other felines, esp of the genus Lynx, such as the lynx and the caracal
US and Canadian another name for bobcat
informala savage or aggressive person
an exploratory drilling for petroleum or natural gas
US and Canadianan unsound commercial enterprise
US and Canadiana railway locomotive in motion without drawing any carriages or wagonsAlso called (in Britain and certain other countries): light engine
(modifier)US and Canadian
of or relating to an unsound business enterprisewildcat stock
financially or commercially unsounda wildcat project
(modifier)US and Canadian(of a train) running without permission or outside the timetable
verb-cats, -cattingor-catted
(intr)to drill for petroleum or natural gas in an area having no known reserves