Definition of cat's-paw Cat's-paw

We found 10 definitions of cat's-paw from 4 different sources.

What does cat's-paw mean?

Noun
cat's-paw - a hitch in the middle of rope that has two eyes into which tackle can be hooked
cat's-paw - a person used by another to gain an end
		instrument, pawn

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cat's-paw (Noun)
A pawn or dupe; somebody who has been unwittingly tricked into acting in another's interest.
cat's-paw (Noun)
A knot of a certain kind resembling a lark’s-foot hitch; see Wikipedia:cat's paw cat's paw for more detailed information.
cat's-paw (Noun)
A breeze that ruffles patches of a water surface.
cat's-paw (Noun)
A small crowbar.

cat's-paw (n.)
A light transitory air which ruffles the surface of the water during a calm, or the ripples made by such a puff of air.
cat's-paw (n.)
A particular hitch or turn in the bight of a rope, into which a tackle may be hooked.
cat's-paw (n.)
A dupe; a tool; one who, or that which, is used by another as an instrument to a accomplish his purposes.

cat's-paw
A light air perceived at a distance in a calm, by the impressions made on the surface of the sea, which it sweeps very gently, and then passes away, being equally partial and transitory. Old superstitious seamen are seen to scratch the backstays with their nails, and whistle to invoke even these cat's-paws, the general forerunner of the steadier breeze. Cat's-paw is also a name given to a particular twisting hitch, made in the bight of a rope, so as to induce two small bights, in order to hook a tackle on them both. Also, good-looking seamen employed to entice volunteers.

cat's-paw in sign language