tabby
B1Neutral to informal (for cat); technical (for fabric); archaic (for woman).
Definition
Meaning
A domestic cat with a distinctive coat pattern of stripes, dots, or swirling lines.
Historically, a type of plain-woven silk fabric with a striped pattern; also, an archaic, pejorative term for a spinster or old maid.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Originally referred to a striped silk fabric (from French 'tabis', derived from Arabic 'attabiya', a district in Baghdad). The term was later applied to cats due to the similarity in striped patterns. The archaic sense for a woman derives from the given name Tabitha.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The archaic sense for a woman may be slightly more recognized in British English due to historical literature.
Connotations
Primarily neutral when referring to cats. The fabric sense is technical. The archaic sense is derogatory and outdated.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties when referring to cats. Other senses are rare.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adjective] + tabbytabby + cattabby + with + [pattern description]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in zoology or genetics when describing feline coat patterns.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe the appearance of cats.
Technical
In textiles, refers to a plain weave with a ribbed appearance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- We've just adopted a lovely tabby kitten from the shelter.
American English
- Her tabby cat loves to nap in the sun on the porch.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small tabby cat.
- My neighbour's tabby often visits our garden to chase birds.
- The classic tabby pattern features distinctive swirls on the cat's sides.
- In textile history, tabby was a fundamental weave, prized for its durability and simple striped appearance.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TABBY cat sitting on a TABle with a striped TABLEcloth, linking the stripes of the cat to the fabric.
Conceptual Metaphor
Pattern as identity (the striped pattern defines the cat).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as any 'полосатый кот' (striped cat) – tabby is a specific pattern, not just stripes.
- The fabric meaning is rarely known; do not confuse with general 'ткань' (fabric).
- The archaic meaning is almost never used in modern English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'tabby' to refer to any cat, regardless of pattern.
- Mispronouncing as /ˈteɪbi/ instead of /ˈtæbi/.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a meaning of 'tabby'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'tabby' refers only to a coat pattern found in many cat breeds and non-pedigree cats.
No, 'tabby' is not used as a verb in modern English.
It comes from the French 'tabis', a striped silk taffeta, named after the Attabiya district in Baghdad where such fabric was made.
It is a technical term in textile history and weaving, but not common in everyday language.