tomcat

[tom-kat]

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noun

a male cat.

Slang. a woman-chaser.

verb (used without object), tom·cat·ted, tom·cat·ting.

Slang. (of a man) to pursue women in order to make sexual conquests (often followed by around): He tomcatted around before settling down.

Origin of tomcat

1750–60; Tom + cat1

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

Related Words for tomcat

rake, killer, philanderer, cat, player, wolf, womanizer, operator, sport, speed, swinger, chaser, puma, panther, tabby, kitty, lynx, tiger, cougar

Examples from the Web for tomcat

Historical Examples of tomcat

Yet the Indian elephant is about as much like his African brother as a tomcat is like a tiger.
In Africa
John T. McCutcheon
And now a Tomcat has got one of the Fishes and she will surely escape with him.
A Tramp Abroad, Complete
Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
Mr. Cook was surprised at the picture of the Tomcat astride his sacred Shylock.
The Sunset Trail
Alfred Henry Lewis
Mr. Masterson, according to the Tomcat, had injured only the Texas public.
The Sunset Trail
Alfred Henry Lewis
The Tomcat appeared dashed, not to say dismayed, by the meeting.
The Sunset Trail
Alfred Henry Lewis

Word Origin and History for tomcat

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.