tomcat
[tom-kat]
- a male cat.
- Slang. a woman-chaser.
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- Slang. (of a man) to pursue women in order to make sexual conquests (often followed by around): He tomcatted around before settling down.
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Origin of tomcat
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
rakekillerphilanderercatplayerwolfwomanizeroperatorsportspeedtomcatswingerchaserpumapanthertabbykittylynxtigerExamples from the Web for tomcat
Historical Examples
Yet the Indian elephant is about as much like his African brother as a tomcat is like a tiger.
In AfricaJohn T. McCutcheon
And now a Tomcat has got one of the Fishes and she will surely escape with him.
A Tramp Abroad, CompleteMark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Mr. Cook was surprised at the picture of the Tomcat astride his sacred Shylock.
The Sunset TrailAlfred Henry Lewis
Mr. Masterson, according to the Tomcat, had injured only the Texas public.
The Sunset TrailAlfred Henry Lewis
The Tomcat appeared dashed, not to say dismayed, by the meeting.
The Sunset TrailAlfred Henry Lewis
Word Origin and History for tomcat
n.
1809, from Tom + cat; probably influenced by Tom the Cat in the popular children's book "The Life and Adventures of a Cat" (1760); replaced earlier Gib-cat, from diminutive of Gilbert, though Tom was applied to male kittens c.1300. Used of the males of other beasts and birds since 1791. Cf. also Tibert. The verb meaning "to pursue women promiscuously for sexual gratification" is recorded from 1927.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper