ratcatcher

[ rat-kach-er ]

/ ˈrætˌkætʃ ər /

noun

a person, animal, or thing that catches and exterminates rats, especially a person whose business it is to rid a property of rats.

Chiefly British. an informal fox-hunting costume, as a tweed jacket and tan riding breeches.

Nearby words

rataplan, ratatouille, ratbag, ratbaggery, ratbite fever, ratcatcher, ratch, ratchet, ratchet effect, ratchet jack, ratchet wheel

Origin of ratcatcher

First recorded in 1585–95; rat + catcher

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rat-catcher

He baits his patient's body with his medicines, as a rat-catcher does a room, and either poisons the disease or him.
Character Writings of the 17th Century|Various
It behoves the Rat-catcher to be always attentive to his customers, those, I mean, who want live Rats wherewith to try their dogs.
Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-catcher|Ike Matthews
He then took up the employment of rat-catcher, for which, perhaps, he was better qualified than any other.
Anecdotes of Dogs|Edward Jesse
It is all a ready-money trade, and as there is not much competition, the Rat-catcher can command a good price for his work.
Full Revelations of a Professional Rat-catcher|Ike Matthews

All for the boy who had left them, six weeks before, with no word of farewell but the parting taunt of a rat-catcher.
The Lance of Kanana|Harry W. French

British Dictionary definitions for rat-catcher

rat-catcher

noun

a person whose job is to destroy or drive away vermin, esp rats

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ratcatcher

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of ratcatcher

Examples from the Web for rat-catcher

British Dictionary definitions for rat-catcher

rat-catcher

noun