Etymology

catty

C3A1T1T1Y4

Today it means: Resembling or characteristic of a cat. Full definition →

Malay kati ← Tamil கட்டி
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catty · adjective1

From cat + -y. Compare Dutch kattig, which also means “subtly hostile” and is formed the same way (kat + -ig); see also catfight.

catty · noun2

  1. Tamil · derived fromகட்டி
  2. Malay · derived fromkati
  3. English todaycatty

From Malay kati, from Tamil கட்டி (kaṭṭi).

Catty · proper noun3

Diminutive + -y.

Words from the same roots

Malaykati all →

caddykati

Tamilகட்டி all →

caddy

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.