Main Entry:

¹tab·by

Pronunciation:

\ˈta-bē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural tabbies

Etymology:

French tabis, from Middle French atabis, from Medieval Latin attabi, from Arabic ʽattābī, from Al-ʽAttābīya, quarter in Baghdad

Date:

1638

1 aarchaic : a plain silk taffeta especially with moiré finish b: a plain-woven fabric2 [²tabby] a: a domestic cat with a striped and mottled coat b: a domestic cat ; especially : a female cat

[tabby illustration]