cat

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1972
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Harp Seal; Newfoundland; Lynx
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/12706

cat3 n Cat has several meanings peculiar to Newfoundland and Labrador or at least, to the Canadian Atlantic area. Since one usage of _cat_ derives from _catamaran_, I will list these terms in sequence. _cat_ n. 1. _Nfld., S. & C. Lab_. [elliptical] A _catermaran_ (def. 1) q.v. 2. likely as short form for _catamount_, the European wildcat of Britain (< _cat a' mount_ "mountain cat" < _A.S. catt_ reinforced by Wolen _cath_, In., Gael _cat_, Latin _catta_; thought ultimately to be Celtic, but note Arabic _gitt_, Turkish _Kedi_, a cat] The Canada Lynx,_ Lynx canadenais_; its flesh or palt. Also called _gatamount, mountain cat [underlined], great cat_ q.v. 3. _esp. Lab_ [likely < British dial. _cat_, any furry, small cat-like animal (Irish, Gael. _cat_ is same dial. sense); see also under def. 2. Note English _polecat_ the fitch or "stinking marten".] A marten, fisher or mink, or the pelt of any of these. See also _cat house, cat killer, cat path n. 4. _sealing;_ _esp. Nfld._ [< cat n. (as above); likely infl by kit n., a young or small animal (?< _kitten_ or akin to Scots, N. Eng. _chit_, child) a) Sepcifically, (over) [reverse] a still-born whitecoat or harp-seal, its scalp or pelt. 5. _Atlantic Provs_. , _B.C. coast; rare_ [ellipt. (< the cat-urine odour characteristic of its crushed needles] A "cat-spruce"; a white spruce. 6. _esp. Nfld._ [ellipt.] The catfish, also called ocean cat and Spotted Wolf-fish, _Anarhichas minor._ 7. _esp. Nfld_ [ellipt.] The sea cat or Ocean Pout, _Macrozoarces americanus._ _Catamaran_ n. 1. _esp. Nfld_ [ <s.w. Eng. rural dial. _catamaran_, anything roughly or awkardly construct < cat, thing (< O.E. _catal_, chattel, thing) + *_amaran_, wild, rough botched (< AS _amarran_ v., botch, mar; ? reincforced by French _marron_, wild, untamed)] A runnered work-sled of any type, esp. a strong broad sledge with wooden runners used n haulng wood or lumber. 2. [supposedly < Tamil _kattumaram_, tied loga ( < _kattu_ v., tis + _maram_ tree) but perhaps as ...