noun / verb
kitten
KIT-un/ˈkɪtn/
A cat in its earliest stage of life.
The kitten sits beside a small ball.
Etymology
The 'cat' base and diminutive ending give 'little cat.' Kitten probably comes from an Anglo-French version of this formation, used in English specifically for a young cat.
In context
providing care for a mother cat and newborn kitten
More examples
- Three kittens slept beside their mother.
- The cat kittened in a quiet corner of the barn.
- Their kitten is learning to climb the stairs.
Forms
kitten · kittens · kittened · kittening
Similar words
- cat
- The animal regardless of age.
- kitty
- An affectionate name for a cat of any age.