kitten

[kit-n]

noun

1. a young cat.

verb (used with or without object)

1. (of cats) to give birth; bear.

kitten

/ ˈkɪtən /

noun

1. a young cat

2. US equivalent: have a cow. informal,  to react with disapproval, anxiety, etc

   she had kittens when she got the bill

verb

1. (of cats) to give birth to (young)

Other Word Forms

• kittenlike adjective
• kitten-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of kitten¹

1350–1400; Middle English kitoun, apparently blend of kiteling kitling and Middle French chitoun, variant of chaton kitten

Word History and Origins

Origin of kitten¹

C14: from Old Northern French caton, from _cat ¹ ; probably influenced by Middle English kiteling

Idioms and Phrases

see have a fit (kittens); weak as a kitten.

Example Sentences

We don’t allow puppies or kittens to be separated from their mothers until at least 8 weeks following their birth.

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Then it will be Lavinia’s turn to be mad as a hornet—unless she discovers your clever scheme and, gentle as a lamb and sweet as a kitten, somehow persuades you to share.

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Nearby, Ali Ahmad was balancing a small kitten he rescued from the floods on his shoulder.

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Another pet owner, Lucy Dawson from Salisbury said a five-minute trip to the vet with her kitten, Jessie, cost her more than £100.

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The placid if slightly stupid day nurse is a cow; the surgeon has the head of a yapping terrier; the junior nurse is a “prancing kitten.”

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Related Words

• kitty