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Glite Dictionary
Felis catus

Felis catus

1 3.1
A small furry animal people keep as a pet that often catches mice
  • noun
  • /ˈfɛlɪs ˈkætəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Felis catus
  • Researchers study Felis catus to understand the domestication of animals.

Examples

  • The Felis catus is a popular pet around the world.

  • The scientific classification for the household pet is Felis catus.

  • Veterinarians often use the name Felis catus when discussing feline health.

  • Many people prefer a Felis catus over a dog.

  • The Felis catus is known for its playful behavior and affectionate nature towards humans.

  • Many families choose to adopt a Felis catus for companionship and as a part of their household.

  • The Felis catus has a keen hunting instinct, making it an excellent pest controller in homes.

Synonyms

cat
vsFelis catus
∞ 1.0

A small, furry pet or a large wild animal like a lion

is the scientific name for the domestic species only
kitty
vsFelis catus
  • Baby Talk
155 1.0

A house cat people call in a friendly way, often by children

is the formal scientific name not an affectionate childish word
kitty-cat
vsFelis catus
  • Baby Talk
12 3.5

A pet cat people call in a friendly way to children

is the formal scientific name rather than a playful children's expression
house cat
vsFelis catus
9 1.0

A small cat kept as a pet in a home

is the scientific species name rather than a home term
domestic cat
vsFelis catus
3 1.0

A small furry animal people keep as a pet that often catches mice

is the formal scientific name used in biology

Surface Forms

Felis catus singular
Felis catuses plural

Morphology

Felis + catus

This is a taxonomic binomial formed from genus + species: knowing 'Felis' (genus of true cats) and 'catus' (the species epithet referring to the domestic cat) lets a learner infer it names the domestic cat. Binomial scientific names are compositional and cross-linguistically used, so the meaning is directly derivable from the constituents rather than idiomatic.

Etymology

Felis catus comes from the Latin words felis (meaning 'cat') and catus (meaning 'domestic' or 'tame'). So the name literally means 'domestic cat', which is why scientists use it for the pet we know today.