cat's-paw
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.cat's–paw
noun \ˈkats-ˌpȯ\ 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
- Synonyms
- cat's-paw, instrument, lay figure, puppet, tool
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