cat-foot

[ kat-foot ]

verb (used without object)

1. to move in the soft, stealthy manner of a cat; pussyfoot.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cat-foot¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; cat ( def ) + foot

Example Sentences

A bear, they'd called him, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, black and white cat-foot, a living fossil.

From Nature

Still, I'll say for that most esteemable lady, that Missis Rucker never lays for Bowlaigs or assaults him ontil one afternoon when he catches the dinin'-room deserted an' off its gyard an' goes romancin' over, cat-foot an' surreptitious, an' cleans up the tables of what chuck has been placed thar in antic'pation of supper.

From Project Gutenberg

But the dastard had sneaked away, cat-foot.

From Project Gutenberg

"Good," he said, and leaving her side he softly descended the stairs, crept cat-foot across the tavern floor and insinuated himself dexterously into the society of his friends, who were by this time far too mad and merry to show any surprise at his sudden re-appearance, or to question whence he came.

From Project Gutenberg

Enright tells her, as we turns cat-foot to trail out so she won't be pestered by the presence of us, as how Peets'll come back in a hour to see her, an' that as all of us'll be jest across the street, it'll be plenty easy to fetch us if she feels like company.

From Project Gutenberg