cat's feet
- noun
- UK
:
pata de gato
- She bent down to study the cluster of cat's feet blooming near the path.
Examples
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The meadow was dotted with patches of cat's feet among the grasses.
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Gardeners often plant cat's feet as a ground cover for its attractive foliage.
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The garden was filled with beautiful cat's feet in full bloom.
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I planted some cat's feet around the patio.
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The sunny garden was a canvas of color, featuring vibrant clusters of cat's feet that attracted many butterflies.
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In early spring, the cat's feet spread across the ground, creating a soft carpet of white flowers.
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As I walked through the park, I noticed patches of cat's feet blooming along the walkways, adding charm to the landscape.
Synonyms
A low plant with silvery leaves and small white flowers that forms a soft ground cover
A low plant with soft silvery leaves and small white flower clusters
A small low plant with soft hairy leaves and tiny white or pink flowers
Surface Forms
Morphology
cat's + foot
This is a lexicalized common name for a plant (cat's-foot) rather than a literal possessive phrase; a B1 learner who knows 'cat' and 'foot' would most likely interpret it literally (the foot of a cat) and would not predict it refers to a low-growing perennial herb. Any historical resemblance to a cat's paw is conventionalized and does not make the referent or plant category compositionally derivable, so the expression is not transparent.
Etymology
Cat's feet may come from the plant's small, round leaves and soft hairs that look like cat's feet on the ground. This is why gardeners use this low plant as a 'ground cover' and why the picture of tiny cat feet helps you remember the name.
