rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybobcatWild cat
noun

bobcat

BAHB-kat/ˈbɑːbkæt/

A medium-sized North American wild cat with a short tail.

A bobcat stands beside a low stone, its short tail visible.

An accurate bobcat with short bobbed tail, cheek ruff, tufted ears and spotted tawny coat stands beside one low stone; no lynx-like oversized ear tufts or long tail, minimal ground.
Etymology
bobEnglishshort or shortened tail
+catOld Englishcat

The bobcat is named for its naturally short tail. Here bob evokes a tail cut short, making the compound a compact description of this North American wild cat.

In context

Assorted Animals10:01
A bobcat weighs around 10 to 35 lbs, while a mountain lion weighs around 150 lbs. Both cats are carnivores and have an all meat diet. Their territory overlaps in many parts of North America.
Land of the Bobcats | Full Documentary

More examples

  • Bobcats hunt rabbits and other small animals.
  • We spotted a bobcat near the edge of the woods.
  • The bobcat's spotted coat blends into the dry brush.

Forms

bobcat · bobcats

lynx noun — A short-tailed wild cat with tufted ears.

Similar words

wildcat
A broader term for several kinds of wild cats.