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kitten

Pronunciation: /ˈkɪtən̩/

The English word “kitten” has 6 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. A young cat, especially before sexual maturity (reached at about seven months).
  2. A young rabbit, rat, hedgehog, squirrel, fox, beaver, badger, etc.
  3. A moth of the genus Furcula.
  4. A term of endearment, especially for a woman.
  5. A girlfriend.

verb

  1. To give birth to kittens.

Etymology

From Middle English kitoun, kytton, kyton, keton (“kitten”), of obscure origin. Seemingly from, and usually explained as being from, unattested Anglo-Norman *kitoun, *ketun (compare Old French chitoun, cheton, chaton (“kitten”), diminutive of cat, chat (“cat”)); whence Modern French chaton (“kitten”). Similar words of Germanic origin may have reinforced this word; compare English kitling (“kit,…

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