tiger

ti·ger

noun \ˈtī-gər\

plural tigers

Definition of TIGER

1

plural also tiger a : a large Asian carnivorous mammal (Panthera tigris) of the cat family having a usually tawny coat transversely striped with black b : any of several large wildcats (as the jaguar or cougar) c : a domestic cat with striped pattern d Australian : tasmanian tiger

2

a : a fierce, daring, or aggressive person or quality <aroused the tiger in him> <a tiger for work> b : one (as a situation) that is formidable or impossible to control <how the tiger of inflation can be tamed — J. A. Davenport> —often used in the phrases ride a tiger and have a tiger by the tail

3

British : a groom in livery

— ti·ger·ish \-g(ə-)rish\ adjective

— ti·ger·ish·ly adverb

— ti·ger·ish·ness noun

— ti·ger·like \-gər-ˌlīk\ adjective

Examples of TIGER

1. He was a tiger on the basketball court.
2. <even the best defense can't keep that tiger from scoring>

Illustration of TIGER

Origin of TIGER

Middle English tigre, from Old English tiger & Anglo-French tigre, both from Latin tigris, from Greek, probably of Iranian origin; akin to Avestan tighra- pointed; akin to Greek stizein to tattoo — more at stick

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to TIGER

Synonyms: barracuda, fire-breather, fire-eater, pit bull

Antonyms: milquetoast

Related Words: attack dog, hatchet man; aggressor, bully, shark; go-getter, hustler, live wire, self-starter; battler, fighter, scrapper; diehard, militant

Near Antonyms: pushover, pussycat, reed, softy (or softie), weakling, wimp

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Rhymes with TIGER

Eiger