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Glite Dictionary
to declaw a cat

to declaw a cat

1 7.4
To remove a cat's claws by surgery
  • phrasal verb
  • /dɪˈklɔː ə kæt/
  • NSFW
: desunglar a un gato
  • Before declawing a cat, it's important to consider humane alternatives like nail trimming.

Examples

  • Some pet owners choose to declaw a cat to prevent furniture damage.

  • In addition, all pet owners were asked if they agreed to such statements as "My pet is a member of my family" (agree/disagree) and "It is okay to declaw a cat" (agree/disagree).

    Academic text (2006)

  • Many veterinarians do not support the practice of declawing a cat due to its painful consequences.

Synonyms

to declaw
vsto declaw a cat
  • NSFW
5 6.1

To remove the claws from a cat or other pet

is the same surgery but used specifically for one species

How Invasive

to amputate
  • Specialized
47 7.2
to declaw a cat
  • NSFW
1 7.4
to manicure
2 3.6

Surface Forms

declaw a cat infinitive
declawed a cat past
declawed a cat past participle
declawing a cat present participle
declaws a cat third person singular

Morphology

declaw + a + cat

The meaning 'to remove a cat's claws' is directly and literally composed from 'declaw' (to remove claws) plus 'cat' (the animal), so there is no idiomatic shift. A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrase declaw a cat comes from the real action of removing a cat's claws in an operation so the cat cannot scratch people or furniture. That's why the phrase means 'to remove a cat's claws'.