Cat's-paw
- Cat's-paw
- Cat's-paw Cat's"-paw`, n.
1. (Naut.)
(a) A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of
the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a
puff of air.
(b) A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope,
into which a tackle may be hooked.
[1913 Webster]
2. A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another
as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In this sense the term refers to the fable of the
monkey using the cat's paw to draw the roasting
chestnuts out of the fire.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
2000.
:
Look at other dictionaries:
Cat's paw — may refer to:*Cat s paw the informal name of some species of Anigozanthus *Cat s Paw A family of small mussels of various sizes and colours living in freshwater rivers and some salt.The shell is shaped like a cats footprint. *Cat s paw (knot), a… … Wikipedia
cat's-paw — cat s′ paw or cats′paw n. 1) a person who is exploited by another; tool 2) mer a light breeze that ruffles the surface of the water over a small area 3) naut. a hitch made in the bight of a rope to hold the hook of a tackle • Etymology: 1650–60;… … From formal English to slang
cat's paw — cats|paw [ˈkætspo: US po:] n old fashioned someone who is used by someone else to achieve something bad … Dictionary of contemporary English
cat's-paw — [kats′pô΄] n. 1. a person used by another to do dangerous, distasteful, or unlawful work; dupe: from the tale of the monkey who used the cat s foot to rake the chestnuts out of the fire 2. a light breeze that ripples the surface of water 3. Naut … English World dictionary
cat's paw — ► NOUN ▪ a person used by another to carry out an unpleasant task … English terms dictionary
cat's-paw — noun (plural cat s paws) Date: circa 1769 1. a light air that ruffles the surface of the water in irregular patches during a calm 2. [from the fable of the monkey that used a cat s paw to draw chestnuts from the fire] one used by another as a… … New Collegiate Dictionary
cat's paw — /ˈkæts pɔ / (say kats paw) noun 1. a person used by another to serve their purpose; a tool. 2. Nautical a kind of hitch in the bight of a rope, made to hook a tackle on. 3. Nautical a light breeze which ruffles the surface of the water over a… …
cat's-paw — žemasis ožūnis statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Hemodorinių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Anigozanthos humilis), paplitęs Australijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Anigozanthos humilis angl. cat s paw šaltinis Valstybinės lietuvių kalbos komisijos… … Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)
Cat's paw (knot) — Knot details name=Cat s paw names= type= hitch strength= origin= Ancient related= girth hitch, lark s foot, cow hitch releasing= Non jamming uses= Attaching a rope to a hook or ring caveat= abok number= #1891The Cat s paw is a knot used for… … Wikipedia
Cat's paw (nail puller) — A cat s paw is a standard carpenter s tool, consisting of a round or hexagonal bar that curves at one end to form a pointed, cup shaped tip with a V shaped cleft for gripping nailheads. To use the tool the user holds the tool s shank with one… … Wikipedia
