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scaredy cat

 - 4 dictionary results

scared⋅y-cat

[skair-dee-kat]
–noun Informal.
fraidy-cat.

Origin:
1930–35; scared + -y 2

fraid⋅y-cat

[frey-dee-kat]
–noun Informal.
a timid, easily frightened person: often used by children.
Also called scaredy-cat.


Origin:
1905–10; fraid (aph. form of afraid ) + -y 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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scared·y-cat also scared·y cat   (skâr'dē-kāt')   
n.   Informal
One who is excessively fearful.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

fraidy-cat 
"coward," c.1910 slang, from child's pronunciation of afraid + cat (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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