catfall

British

/ ˈkætˌfɔːl /

noun

nautical the line used in a cat

"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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The first captain of the forecastle was an old seaman of the name of Catfall.

From Project Gutenberg

As was due to his greater experience and his rank, Catfall was the principal speaker among those who lined the heel of the bowsprit.

From Project Gutenberg

There you're right, Catfall," said Strand, in a patronizing way; "as anybody knows as has been round the Horn.

From Project Gutenberg

I didn't sail with Captain Cook, seeing that I was then the boatswain of the Hussar, and she couldn't have made one of Cook's squadron, being a post-ship, and commanded by a full-built captain; but I was in them seas when a younker, and can back Catfall's account of the matter by my largest anchor, in the way of history.

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023