wild catting
wild·cat
[wahyld-kat] noun, plural wild·cats ( especially collectively ) wild·cat for 1–4, adjective, verb, wild·cat·ted, wild·cat·ting. noun
1.
any of several North American felines of the genus Lynx. Compare lynx.
2.
3.
a closely related feline, Felis sylvestris libyca, of northern Africa, believed to be the ancestor of the domestic cat.
4.
any of several other of the smaller felines, as the serval or ocelot.
5.
a domestic cat that has become feral.
6.
a quick-tempered or savage person.
7.
Railroads. a single locomotive operating without a train, as one switching cars.
8.
an exploratory well drilled in an effort to discover deposits of oil or gas; a prospect well.
9.
a reckless or unsound enterprise, business, etc.
10.
11.
Nautical. a shaped drum on a windlass, engaging with the links of an anchor chain.
12.
Informal. wildcat strike.
adjective
13.
characterized by or proceeding from reckless or unsafe business methods: wildcat companies; wildcat stocks.
14.
of or pertaining to an illicit enterprise or product.
15.
running without control or regulation, as a locomotive, or apart from the regular schedule, as a train.
00:10
Wild catting
is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
| the offspring of a zebra and a donkey. |
| an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle. |
verb (used without object)
16.
to search an area of unknown or doubtful productivity for oil, ore, or the like, especially as an independent prospector.
17.
Slang. to engage in a wildcat strike.
verb (used with object)
18.
to search (an area of unknown or doubtful productivity) for oil, ore, or the like.
Origin:
1375–1425; late Middle English wilde cat; compare Middle Low German wildkatte
1375–1425; late Middle English wilde cat; compare Middle Low German wildkatte
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To wild catting
Collins
World English Dictionary
wildcat (ˈwaɪldˌkæt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -cats, -cat | |
| 1. | a wild European cat, Felis silvestris, that resembles the domestic tabby but is larger and has a bushy tail |
| 2. | any of various other felines, esp of the genus Lynx, such as the lynx and the caracal |
| 3. | (US), (Canadian) another name for bobcat |
| 4. | informal a savage or aggressive person |
| 5. | an exploratory drilling for petroleum or natural gas |
| 6. | (US), (Canadian) an unsound commercial enterprise |
| 7. | (US), (Canadian) Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): light engine a railway locomotive in motion without drawing any carriages or wagons |
| 8. | (US), (Canadian) (modifier) |
| a. of or relating to an unsound business enterprise: wildcat stock | |
| b. financially or commercially unsound: a wildcat project | |
| 9. | (US), (Canadian) (modifier) (of a train) running without permission or outside the timetable |
| —vb , -cats, -cat, -cats, -catting, -catted | |
| 10. | (intr) to drill for petroleum or natural gas in an area having no known reserves |
| 'wildcatting | |
| —n, —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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