tabby
/ˈtæbi/
NOUN
1. A brindled or patterned cat
A domestic cat with a coat displaying distinctive stripes, spots, or swirled patterns, typically in shades of brown, gray, or orange.
1.1. Domestic cat
Refers to a domestic cat, particularly one with a characteristic patterned coat. The term can be used informally for a cat regardless of its specific markings.
Synonyms
Examples
- The playful tabby chased after a rolling ball of yarn.
- In the sunlight, the fur of the sleeping tabby looked warm and inviting.
- Our family adopted a sweet tabby from the local animal shelter.
- The old bookstore had a resident cat, a wise and dignified tabby.
- As I walked through the park, a curious tabby approached, hoping for attention.
Related Words
NOUN
2. An old maid or gossip
A dated or informal term referring to an unmarried older woman or a person, traditionally a woman, who habitually spreads gossip.
2.1. A person who spreads gossip
Used in an old-fashioned or derogatory sense for someone who habitually talks about other people's private affairs, spreads rumors, or meddles in their business.
Synonyms
- gossiper
- gossipmonger
- tattler
- tattletale
- talebearer
- taleteller
- prattler
- busybody
- scandalmonger
Examples
- The neighborhood tabby was notorious for spreading rumors about everyone.
- The old tabby spent her afternoons discussing the private affairs of her neighbors.
Related Words
- chatterbox
- chatterer
- informer
- rumormonger
- whisperer
- meddler
- snoop
- flibbertigibbet
2.2. An unmarried older woman
An archaic or disparaging use referring to an older unmarried woman, similar to the expression old maid.
Synonyms
- old maid
- spinster
Related Words
- bachelor
- unmarried woman
- single woman
NOUN
3. A type of waved silk fabric
A thick and strong silk fabric with a distinctive wavy or watered appearance, traditionally produced by calendering.
3.1. Watered silk textile
Refers to a silk fabric with an irregular rippled or watered pattern created by pressing or finishing the material.
Synonyms
- watered silk
Related Words
NOUN
4. A traditional lime-based building material
A mixture of lime, shells, gravel, or stones combined with water that hardens into a rock-like material and was historically used in construction.
VERB
5. To give fabric a waved appearance
To treat a textile so that its surface develops a distinctive wavy, rippled, or watered pattern.
5.1. Creating a watered textile pattern
Describes the process of treating fabric to produce an irregular, wave-like or watered surface appearance.
Synonyms
- water
- ripple
Related Words
- calender
- texture
- fabric finishing
- moire pattern
ADJECTIVE
6. Having a waved or variegated appearance
Displaying a wavy, watered, brindled, or irregularly varied pattern of colors.
6.1. Wavy or watered appearance
Describes a surface or textile with an undulating, rippled, or watered pattern.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- smooth
- uniform
Related Words
- undulating
- textured
- patterned
- moire
6.2. Brindled or varied coloring
Describes an animal or object marked with irregular streaks, stripes, or contrasting patches of color.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- solid-colored
- unmarked
- uniform
Examples
- The tabby cat had a beautifully striped coat.
Related Words
- mottled
- dappled
- variegated
- streaky