cat's cradle

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See synonyms for cat's cradle on Thesaurus.com

noun

a children's game in which two players alternately stretch a looped string over their fingers in such a way as to produce different designs.

the intricate design formed by the string in this game.

intricacy; complexity.

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Origin of cat's cradle

First recorded in 1760–70

Words nearby cat's cradle

cat rig, CATS, CAT scan, CAT scanner, cat's-claw, cat's cradle, cat-scratch disease, cat-scratch fever, cat's cry syndrome, cat's-ear, cat's eye

Other definitions for cat's cradle (2 of 2)

Cat's Cradle

noun

a novel (1963) by Kurt Vonnegut.

How to use cat's cradle in a sentence

We did a movie down in Durango — Great Scout and Cat House Thursday.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“A guy drives up in a 2008 Mercedes, brand new,” Harry S. Connelly Jr. says in the video, according to the Times.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Personal hotspots can get speeds of up to 60 Mb/s down, whereas hotel Wi-Fi can be as slow as 1.5 Mb/s,” Sesar said.
How ‘Ethical’ Hotel Chain Marriott Gouges Guests in the Name of Wi-Fi Security|Kyle Chayka|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In our headlong quest for a legally perfect society, we don’t take the time to take stock of what‘s been created so far.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Alastair Sim had jowls like melting candle wax, a snarl like a cornered cat and eyes cold with contempt.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A lateen sail was visible in the direction of Cat Island, and others to the south seemed almost motionless in the far distance.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Ajoutez cecy, s'il vous plaist, la grande difficult qu'il y a de tirer d'eux les mots mesmes qu'ils ont.
The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents, Vol. II: Acadia, 1612-1614|Various
And if he was worried about Farmer Green's cat, why didn't he dig a hole for himself at once, and get out of harm's way?
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
The cat had been about to spring at Grandfather Mole again when Mr. Crow spoke to her.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
She rose comforted, and drawing the baby's cradle out into the veranda, seated herself at her embroidery.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson

British Dictionary definitions for cat's cradle

cat's cradle

noun

a game played by making intricate patterns with a loop of string between the fingers

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012