feline

Everyday

1. To do with cats or the cat family, which includes house cats, lions, tigers, leopards and cheetahs. tree →
2. Like a cat, graceful, quiet and smooth in the way you move, as in «feline grace». tree →
3. (noun) A cat or any animal of the cat family. tree →

In the lessons

In science, «felines» (the family Felidae) are meat-eating mammals with sharp claws and whiskers. Vets talk about «feline health». In stories, «feline» describes someone who moves quietly and gracefully, or has catlike eyes. Related word for dogs: «canine».

Examples

• Lions, tigers and house cats are all felines. tree →
• The vet specialises in feline illnesses. tree →
• She moved with feline grace across the stage. tree →
• The cheetah is the fastest feline. tree →
• My cat has a very feline way of ignoring me. tree →
• The feline eyes glowed in the dark. tree →

Note

Said «FEE-line». Compare: «canine» (dogs), «equine» (horses), «bovine» (cows).