tiger cat

noun

any of several felines, as the ocelot or margay, that resemble the tiger in coloration or ferocity but are smaller.
a spotted marsupial cat, Dasyurus ( Dasyurops ) maculatus.
a domestic cat having a striped coat resembling that of a tiger.

tiger cat

a medium-sized feline mammal, Felis tigrina, of Central and South America, having a dark-striped coat
any similar feline with tiger-like markings, such as the margay

First recorded in 1690–1700

“I think I never saw such a tiger cat,” remarked the old gentleman when she had finished.

And then, to his astonishment, this tiger-cat became suddenly metamorphosed into a dove.

The animal called the margay is really a kind of small ocelot, and it is sometimes known as the tiger-cat.

We were merely talking about a certain dishonest parson who rode in hay-carts, when the fellow sprang on Jones like a tiger-cat.

There was no way of escape for him, however, and he sprang like a tiger-cat at the ensign.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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