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Glite Dictionary
Egyptian cat

Egyptian cat

5.3
A house cat from Egypt that people kept and loved long ago
  • noun
  • /ɪˈdʒɪpʃən kæt/
translation icon : gato egipcio
  • Many believe the Egyptian cat is one of the oldest domesticated breeds.

Examples

  • The Egyptian cat was revered and even worshipped in ancient Egypt.

  • The Egyptian cat is known for its striking appearance.

  • Her new pet is an elegant Egyptian cat with striking green eyes.

  • Many Egyptian cats have unique coat patterns.

  • The Egyptian cat has a beautiful coat with striking stripes that attract attention.

  • In ancient times, the Egyptians worshipped the Egyptian cat for its grace and hunting ability.

  • Many people enjoy the companionship of an Egyptian cat due to its friendly and playful nature.

Surface Forms

Egyptian cat singular
Egyptian cats plural

Morphology

Egyptian + cat

The meaning 'a cat from Egypt' is directly and transparently derived from the adjective 'Egyptian' (denoting origin/association with Egypt) combined with 'cat' (a feline). This straightforward adjective + noun compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and would be clear to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Egyptian cat, with Egyptian meaning 'from Egypt' and cat meaning the animal, comes from old Egypt where people kept and often treated cats as special animals. That's why Egyptian cat now means 'a domestic cat from Egypt' or a cat that looks like those famous, graceful animals.