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
A cheerful fire blazes on the hearth; and at the moment grimalkin is purring on the rug.
From The Knickerbocker, or New-York Monthly Magazine, January 1844 Volume 23, Number 1 by Various
The ubiquitous collector of rags and bottles and rabbits' skins was always anxiously inquiring for the heads also, and the natural conclusion was that, thanks to the latter, stewed grimalkin passed muster as gibelotte.
From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.
Even the sage grimalkin showed indubitable signs of joy, at the return of the youngster.
From Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists by Washington Irving
Pinch its scut or bite its ears, and when it exclaims, "Miauw!" it is not a genuine rabbit, but a grimalkin in disguise.
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 102, May 21, 1892 by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
