native cat

American  

noun

1. any of several catlike dasyures of the genus Dasyurus, of Australia and Tasmania: most populations are now rare.

---

native cat British  

noun

1. any of various Australian catlike carnivorous marsupials of the genus Dasyurus

---

Etymology

Origin of native cat

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

native cat

But when you’re trying to nab Washington’s most endangered native cat, a little stink is the least of your challenges.

From Seattle Times ● May 12, 2023

Being an alien, Bowie has to insert lenses over his native cat eyes — y'know, other atmospheres and all that — to appear human.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 12, 2016

And yet, while many logged forests have been hard-hit ecologically, they still show pockets of remarkable biodiversity, including all five of the native cat species.

From Nature ● Apr. 17, 2013

They also saw strange birds, as well as the wild or native cat, which has been such a pest ever since in most parts of Australia.

From The Logbooks of the Lady Nelson With the journal of her first commander Lieutenant James Grant by Lee, Ida

He recalled the spitting venom of the native cat, of whose kill he had caught a fleeting glimpse on the previous night.

From Finn The Wolfhound by Buxton, Robert Hugh