tiger

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noun ti·ger \ˈtī-gər\

Definition of tiger

plural

tigers

1 plural also tiger a : a large Asian carnivorous mammal (Panthera tigris) of the cat family having a usually tawny coat transversely striped with blackb : any of several large wildcats (such as the jaguar or cougar)c : a domestic cat with striped patternd Australia : tasmanian tiger
2a : a fierce, daring, or aggressive person or quality aroused the tiger in him a tiger for workb : someone or something (such 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

tigerish

play \-g(ə-)rish\ adjective

tigerishly

adverb

tigerishness

noun

tigerlike

play \-gər-ˌlīk\ adjective

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Examples of tiger in a Sentence

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

Illustration of tiger

Origin and Etymology 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

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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TIGER Defined for English Language Learners

tiger

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noun

Definition of tiger for English Language Learners

: a large, wild cat that has a coat of usually yellow or orange fur and black stripes and that lives in Asia
: a striped cat that lives with people
: a person who is very fierce or aggressive