catnap

¹ American  

[kat-nap] / ˈkætˌnæp /

noun

1. a short, light nap or doze.

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verb (used without object)

catnapped, catnapping

1. to doze or sleep lightly.

catnap ² American  

[kat-nap] / ˈkætˌnæp /

verb (used with object)

catnapped, catnapping

1. to steal or abduct a cat, especially in order to keep it as one's own.

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catnap British  

/ ˈkætˌnæp /

noun

1. a short sleep or doze

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verb

1. (intr) to sleep or doze for a short time or intermittently

Other Word Forms

• catnapper noun

Etymology

Origin of catnap

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; cat + nap ¹

Example Sentences

“I’m … I’m just going to take a little catnap. Do me a favor and don’t … try to … escape.”

From Literature

She had meant to take an hour’s catnap and be up well before her pupils, but the Incorrigibles had risen much earlier than usual, as children are apt to do on any long-awaited holiday.

From Literature

On good ones, they found a lodging house and raced upstairs, hoping to claim a catnap before that evening’s gig.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe he could take a little rest, catnap like Mom did after dinner, before she started her hours of baking.

From Literature

Merry sang songs—all to the tune of “Jingle Bells”—and took little catnaps on a pink blanket under the pecan tree by the downstairs kitchen door.

From Literature