cat's-paw (redirected from cat's-paws)

cat's-paw also cats·paw (ktspô)

n. pl. cat's-paws also cats·paws

1. A person used by another as a dupe or tool.

2. A light breeze that ruffles small areas of a water surface.

3. Nautical A knot made by twisting a section of rope to form two adjacent eyes through which a hook is passed, used in hoisting.

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[From a fable about a monkey that used a cat's paw to pull chestnuts out of a fire.]

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cat's-paw

n

1. a person used by another as a tool; dupe

2. (Miscellaneous Technologies / Knots) Nautical a hitch in the form of two loops, or eyes, in the bight of a line, used for attaching it to a hook

3. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a pattern of ripples on the surface of water caused by a light wind

[(sense 1) C18: so called from the tale of the monkey who used a cat's paw to draw chestnuts out of a fire]

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	cat's-paw - a person used by another to gain an end pawn, instrument assistant, helper, help, supporter - a person who contributes to the fulfillment of a need or furtherance of an effort or purpose; "my invaluable assistant"; "they hired additional help to finish the work"
	2.	cat's-paw - a hitch in the middle of rope that has two eyes into which tackle can be hooked hitch - a knot that can be undone by pulling against the strain that holds it; a temporary knot

Translations

cat's-paw [ˈkætspɔː] N (fig) → instrumento m