grimalkin
Americannoun
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a cat.
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an old female cat.
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an ill-tempered old woman.
noun
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an old cat, esp an old female cat
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a crotchety or shrewish old woman
Etymology
Origin of grimalkin
1595–1605; apparently alteration of gray 1 + malkin, diminutive of Maud proper name; see -kin
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.
One only of all Charles Cholerton's cats escaped; a smoky grimalkin, she came slinking from a fiery window, her eyes lit with warm red fury.
From Time Magazine Archive
The child, seeing grimalkin stalk stealthily into the room, points the finger and says “cat.”
From The Head Voice and Other Problems Practical Talks on Singing by Clippinger, D. A. (David Alva)
It is the visage of grimalkin, outside of the window, where he appears to have posted himself for a deliberate watch.
From House of the Seven Gables by Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Dame Gudhan speedily followed grimalkin, tottering along on a stick, and muttering to herself, chewing her rage as a horse champs the bit.
From Trevethlan: (Vol 2 of 3) A Cornish Story. by Watson, William Davy
Even the sage grimalkin showed indubitable signs of joy, at the return of the youngster.
From Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists by Irving, Washington
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
