feline

[ fee-lahyn ]

adjective

1. belonging or pertaining to the cat family, Felidae.
2. catlike; characteristic of animals of the cat family:

   a feline tread.

3. sly, stealthy, or treacherous.

noun

1. an animal of the cat family.

feline

/ fɪˈlɪnɪtɪ; ˈfiːlaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Felidae , a family of predatory mammals, including cats, lions, leopards, and cheetahs, typically having a round head and retractile claws: order Carnivora (carnivores)
2. resembling or suggestive of a cat, esp in stealth or grace

noun

1. any animal belonging to the family Felidae ; a cat

feline

/ fē′līn′ /

1. Characteristic of or resembling felids.

Derived Forms

• ˈfelineness, noun
• ˈfelinely, adverb

Other Words From

• feline·ly adverb
• feline·ness fe·lin·i·ty [fi-, lin, -i-tee], noun
• un·feline adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of feline¹

1675–85; < Latin fēl ( ēs ) ( Felis ) + -ine ¹; compare Late Latin fēlīneus of a wild cat

Word History and Origins

Origin of feline¹

C17: from Latin fēlīnus , from fēlēs cat

Example Sentences

Most orange cats are boys, a quirk of feline genetics that also explains why almost all calicos and tortoiseshells are girls.

From Science Magazine

There isn’t a human in sight, but it appears the onetime owner of the home was a sculptor who was inspired by felines.

From Los Angeles Times

A cuddly feline friend is always and forever better than having toxic men in your life.

From Salon

Kocourek put out food for a cat, but the feline hadn’t been seen in a while and she figured it had disappeared or was dead.

From Los Angeles Times

Due to the ubiquity of street dogs, who can pose a threat to felines, most cats have made a life leaping from roof to roof.

From Salon