Cattish

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈkætɪʃ/

Definitions

1. Resembling or characteristic of a feline animal, or displaying sneaky, malicious, or spiteful behavior toward others
2. Having qualities similar to a cat, which may include gracefulness or aloofness, while also implying a tendency toward spitefulness or cunning behavior
3. Exhibiting features akin to those of felines, marked by stealth or slyness alongside a nature that may be malicious or unkind towards others

Etymology: "Cattish" is a plain formation: the noun "cat" with the suffix "-ish," meaning "like or resembling," so the word means "resembling a cat." The suffix has a long pedigree of its own. It traces back through Proto-Germanic and Proto-West Germanic to Old English "-isc," which was already used to form adjectives meaning "of the kind of" or "characteristic of" something. Middle English then wore it down to "-ysh" and "-ish," the form still familiar in words such as "childish" and "bluish." The noun it attaches to, "cat," is much older still. Old English had "catt," and the word's roots run back to a Proto-Germanic form, which points to a very early presence of the animal in Germanic-speaking lands.

Synonyms: cat-like, feline

Antonyms: dog-like