catamount
[kat-uh-mount]
- a wild animal of the cat family, especially the cougar or the lynx.
- catamountain.
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Origin of catamount
First recorded in 1655–65; short for catamountain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for catamount
Historical Examples
Which I ain't in the habit of bein' took lightly by no catamount.
Faro Nell and Her FriendsAlfred Henry Lewis
Probably her mother who probably too was the catamount's sister.
The Paliser caseEdgar Saltus
The catamount had shifted his position, and the boys saw him plainly.
The Camp in the SnowWilliam Murray Graydon
A catamount,” replied Jerry, “or Indian Devil, as some call them.
The Camp in the SnowWilliam Murray Graydon
Here come the wolves, and the catamount is growling like fury.
The Camp in the SnowWilliam Murray Graydon
catamount
catamountain
- any of various medium-sized felines, such as the puma or lynx
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Word Origin
C17: short for cat of the mountain
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
Word Origin and History for catamount
n.
1660s, shortening of cat-o'-mountain (1610s), from cat of the mountain (early 15c.), a name aplied to various types of wildcat.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper