Tortie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A specific type of cat characterized by a mixture of colors, typically black, orange, and cream, sometimes with distinct patches
2. This term describes a feline coat pattern that includes a combination of dark and bright shades in a mottled appearance
3. It refers to a domestic cat displaying a unique blend of colors, often seen in mixed breed cats with a particular tri-color variation

Etymology: "Tortie" is a clipping of "tortoiseshell," with the diminutive ending "-ie" added on. The shortened form is usually applied to a cat whose coat mixes black and red (orange) patches, often with cream or dilute tones, and it is most commonly used for female cats. The longer parent word "tortoiseshell" refers to the mottled, multicoloured pattern of the tortoise's shell, which is the source of the comparison. Calling the cat's markings by the name of that shell gives the coat its visual image: irregular patches that blend into one another rather than sitting in sharp stripes. The "-ie" ending is the same familiar suffix seen in words like "doggie" or "hankie," which turns a longer noun into an affectionate, informal shorthand. That is why "tortie" sounds like a pet-owner's nickname, and why it is now the everyday term among cat fanciers.

Synonyms: tortoiseshell