catcall

catcall
catcall (n.) 1650s, a type of noisemaker used to express dissatisfaction in play-houses, from CAT (Cf. cat) (n.) + CALL (Cf. call) (n.); presumably because it sounded like an angry cat. As a verb, attested from 1734.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • catcall — ► NOUN ▪ a shrill whistle or shout of mockery or disapproval. ► VERB ▪ make a catcall …   English terms dictionary

  • Catcall — Cat call , n. A sound like the cry of a cat, such as is made in playhouses to express dissatisfaction with a play; also, a small shrill instrument for making such a noise. [1913 Webster] Upon the rising of the curtain. I was very much surprised… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • catcall — [n] heckle boo, Bronx cheer*, derision, gibe, hiss, hoot, jeer, raspberry*, shout, whistle; concepts 44,47 …   New thesaurus

  • catcall — [kat′kôl΄] n. a shrill shout or whistle expressing derision or disapproval, as of a speaker, actor, etc. vt. to deride with catcalls vi. to make catcalls …   English World dictionary

  • catcall — UK [ˈkætˌkɔːl] / US [ˈkætˌkɔl] noun [countable] Word forms catcall : singular catcall plural catcalls a loud whistling sound that someone in an audience or a crowd makes to show that they do not like a person or a performance …   English dictionary

  • catcall — n. & v. n. a shrill whistle of disapproval made at meetings etc. v. 1 intr. make a catcall. 2 tr. make a catcall at …   Useful english dictionary

  • catcall — noun Date: 1693 1. a loud or raucous cry made especially to express disapproval (as at a sports event) 2. a derisive remark ; criticism • catcall verb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • catcall — cat|call [ˈkætko:l US ko:l] n a loud whistle or shout expressing disapproval of a speech or performance ▪ jeers and catcalls from the audience >catcall v [I] …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • catcall — noun a shrill whistle or shout of mockery or disapproval. verb make a catcall. Origin C17: from cat1 + call …   English new terms dictionary

  • catcall — noun (C) a loud whistle or shout expressing dislike or disapproval of a speech or performance: jeers and catcalls from the audience catcall verb (I) …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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