feline

[ fee-lahyn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the cat family, Felidae.
2. catlike; characteristic of animals of the cat family:

   a feline tread.

3. sly, stealthy, or treacherous.

noun

1. an animal of the cat family.

feline

/ ˈfiːlaɪn; fɪˈlɪnɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Felidae , a family of predatory mammals, including cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, typically having a round head and retractile claws: order Carnivora (carnivores)
2. resembling or suggestive of a cat, esp in stealth or grace

noun

1. any animal belonging to the family Felidae ; a cat

feline

/ fē′līn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling felids.

Derived Forms

• ˈfelineness, noun
• ˈfelinely, adverb

Other Words From

• feline·ly adverb
• feline·ness fe·lin·i·ty [fi-, lin, -i-tee], noun
• un·feline adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of feline¹

1675–85; < Latin fēl ( ēs ) ( Felis ) + -ine ¹; compare Late Latin fēlīneus of a wild cat

Word History and Origins

Origin of feline¹

C17: from Latin fēlīnus , from fēlēs cat

Example Sentences

Released last year, you’ll be surprised just how wild things can get over a domestic feline.

From Ozy

Now preliminary research suggests that two experimental drugs that can cure that disease in cats, called feline infectious peritonitis, might help treat people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus behind the pandemic.

From Science News

Cats can contract an almost always fatal disease that’s caused by a coronavirus that infects only felines.

From Science News

The other cat drug, GS-441524, that has been effective against the feline coronavirus is similar to remdesivir.

From Science News

The study also reported that in a test tube, GC376 can stop other coronaviruses besides the feline one.

From Science News

The look accentuates her feline eyes and “really opens up them up,” she chirps.

From The Daily Beast

We must get over this dovish thing, this lily-livered and feline urge to withdraw from battle.

From The Daily Beast

With a new feline spot in London and one coming soon to San Francisco, now is the time for cat lovers.

From The Daily Beast

Also check out www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/cat for more feline facts.

From The Daily Beast

Greene's job is to literally cast all the feline models in the show.

From The Daily Beast

Already she displayed those feline graces which nothing, not even captivity nor the sight of her dreadful scaffold, could lessen.

From Project Gutenberg

Who in the gutter caterwauls, squalls, mauls Some feline foe, and screams in shrill ill-will.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a little poem of everyday life, full of deep feeling and feline love.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a dreadful shock to feline nerves, no doubt, but that white kitten was no ordinary animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Besides, it is well-known what is said about the rights of the feline species in reference to royalty.

From Project Gutenberg