cat's-paw
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cat's–paw

noun \ˈkats-ˌp\
plural cat's–paws

Definition of CAT'S-PAW

1
: a light air that ruffles the surface of the water in irregular patches during a calm
2
[from the fable of the monkey that used a cat's paw to draw chestnuts from the fire] : one used by another as a tool : dupe <the … government became the cat's–paw for foreign powers — D. J. Boorstin>
3
: a hitch knot formed with two eyes for attaching a line to a hook — see knot illustration

First Known Use of CAT'S-PAW

circa 1769

Related to CAT'S-PAW

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