big cat
Noun: A large, powerful member of the Felidae family, typically characterized by the ability to roar (in most species) and a natural habitat in the wild, as opposed to domesticated cats. This term is a general category for large, wild felines.
The term "big cat" is used as a common, informal zoological category. It is typically used in general discussions, wildlife documentaries, and conservation contexts to refer collectively to these large predators. * The lion is often called the king of the big cats. * Conservation efforts are crucial to protect endangered big cats like tigers and leopards. * Unlike smaller wild cats, most big cats can roar.
- "The big cats": Used as a collective noun to refer to the group as a whole.
- The documentary focused on the hunting strategies of the big cats of Africa.
- Big Cat: The term is often hyphenated when used as a compound modifier: big-cat.
- The zoo has a new big-cat exhibit.
- Felid (n): The formal biological term for any member of the cat family (Felidae), which includes both big and small cats.
- Pantherine (n/adj): A more technical term relating to the subfamily Pantherinae, which includes the roaring cats like lions, tigers, leopards, and jaguars.
The term "big cat" has a specific zoological meaning and is not commonly used with other distinct definitions. Its meaning is consistently tied to large, wild feline species.
- Great cat: A less common but synonymous term.
- Large feline: A more descriptive synonym.
There are no common idioms that use the exact phrase "big cat."
There are no phrasal verbs associated with the noun phrase "big cat."
- any of several large cats typically able to roar and living in the wild