Wildcat (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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noun, plural wild·cats, (especially collectively) wild·cat for 1-4.
  1. any of several North American felines of the genus Lynx.
  2. a yellowish-gray, black-striped feline, Felis sylvestris, of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa, resembling and closely related to the domestic cat, with which it interbreeds freely.
  3. a closely related feline, Felis sylvestris libyca, of northern Africa, believed to be the ancestor of the domestic cat.
  4. any of several other of the smaller felines, as the serval or ocelot.
  5. a domestic cat that has become feral.
  6. a quick-tempered or savage person.
  7. a single locomotive operating without a train, as one switching cars.
  8. an exploratory well drilled in an effort to discover deposits of oil or gas; a prospect well.
  9. a reckless or unsound enterprise, business, etc.
  10. wildcatter (def. 2).
  11. a shaped drum on a windlass, engaging with the links of an anchor chain.
  12. wildcat strike.
adjective
  1. characterized by or proceeding from reckless or unsafe business methods: wildcat companies; wildcat stocks.
  2. of or relating to an illicit enterprise or product.
  3. running without control or regulation, as a locomotive, or apart from the regular schedule, as a train.
verb (used without object), wild·cat·ted, wild·cat·ting.
  1. to search an area of unknown or doubtful productivity for oil, ore, or the like, especially as an independent prospector.
  2. to engage in a wildcat strike.
verb (used with object), wild·cat·ted, wild·cat·ting.
  1. to search (an area of unknown or doubtful productivity) for oil, ore, or the like.
noun plural -cats or -cat
  1. a wild European cat, Felis silvestris, that resembles the domestic tabby but is larger and has a bushy tail
  2. any of various other felines, esp of the genus Lynx, such as the lynx and the caracal
  3. US and Canadian another name for bobcat
  4. a savage or aggressive person
  5. an exploratory drilling for petroleum or natural gas
  6. an unsound commercial enterprise
  7. a railway locomotive in motion without drawing any carriages or wagons
  8. (modifier) US and Canadian
    • of or relating to an unsound business enterprise
    • financially or commercially unsound
  9. (of a train) running without permission or outside the timetable
verb -cats, -catting or -catted
  1. to drill for petroleum or natural gas in an area having no known reserves
Wildcat (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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