bobcat

[bob-kat]

noun

plural

bobcats ,

plural

bobcat .

1. a North American wildcat, Lynx rufus, ranging from southern Canada to central Mexico, having a brownish coat with black spots.

bobcat

/ ˈbɒbˌkæt /

noun

1. Also called: bay lynx. a North American feline mammal, Lynx rufus , closely related to but smaller than the lynx, having reddish-brown fur with dark spots or stripes, tufted ears, and a short tail

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobcat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; bob(tail) + cat ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bobcat¹

C19: from _bob ² (referring to its short tail) + _cat ¹

Example Sentences

I live in the foothills where bear, bobcat and mountain lion sightings break up the tedium of coyote and raccoon encounters.

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Predators such as bobcats may no longer be able to hunt for rodents and birds — tick hosts — in pocket parks or suburban landscapes.

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When it’s completed, the crossing will help animals such as mountain lions, deer and bobcats pass safely over the freeway.

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I’ve encountered a bobcat here and there, packs of coyotes and deer, but that was the first bear.

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Renamed Wind Wolves, it is now the largest privately owned nature preserve on the West Coast, where endangered kit foxes and leopard lizards thrive along with elk, blacktail deer, great horned owls and bobcats.

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Related Words

• kitten 
• kitty