goat

goat

noun \ˈgōt\

plural goats

Definition of GOAT

1

a or plural goat : any of various hollow-horned ruminant mammals (especially of the genus Capra) related to the sheep but of lighter build and with backwardly arching horns, a short tail, and usually straight hair; especially : one (Capra hircus) long domesticated for its milk, wool, and flesh b capitalized : capricorn

2

: a licentious man : lecher

3

: scapegoat 2

— goat·ish \ˈgō-tish\ adjective

— goat·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of GOAT

1. In the last inning, a home run can make you the hero, and a strikeout can make you the goat.
2. <an unhappy childhood was the goat he used to rationalize every failure and shortcoming>

Origin of GOAT

Middle English gote, from Old English gāt; akin to Old High German geiz goat, Old Norse geit, Latin haedus kid

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GOAT

Synonyms: fall guy, scapegoat, whipping boy

Related Words: victim; butt, dupe, fool, laughingstock, mark, mockery, monkey; excuse

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Rhymes with GOAT

bloat, boat, coat, cote, dote, float, gloat, groat, haute, moat, mote, note, oat, quote, rote, shoat, stoat, throat, tote, vote