SINCE 1828
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
Synonyms for cat's-paw
Synonyms
instrument, lay figure, pawn, puppet, tool
Visit the Thesaurus for More
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Comments on cat's-paw
What made you want to look up cat's-paw? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Test Your Vocabulary
Words from Greek and Latin Quiz
-
- Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZ
Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
Share cat's-paw
Resources for cat's-paw