mouser

/'mauzə/

Thân thiện

The old barn cat is a skilled mouser.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A cat that is skilled at catching mice: "mouser" specifically refers to a cat, typically a domestic cat, that is adept at hunting and catching mice or other small rodents. The term emphasizes the animal's proficiency in this natural predatory behavior.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The barn cat is an excellent mouser, keeping the grain storage free of rodents.
  • We got a cat specifically to be a mouser in the old house.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in rural, farm, or historical contexts to describe a cat kept for practical pest control rather than solely as a pet.
  • In the 18th century, every ship would carry a mouser to protect its food supplies from rats.

Variants and Related Words

• Mouse (verb): To hunt for or catch mice.
  • The cat spent the afternoon mousing in the field.
• Mousing (noun/adj): The act of hunting mice; describing an animal engaged in this activity.
  • The terrier has a strong mousing instinct.

Synonyms

• Ratter: An animal, often a dog or cat, skilled at catching rats. While similar, "ratter" specifies rats, whereas "mouser" typically specifies mice.
• Hunter: A more general term for an animal that hunts prey.

Related Phrases

• Good/bad mouser: A phrase used to evaluate a cat's skill level.
  • Despite being friendly, she's a terrible mouser.
• Born mouser: Describes a cat with a natural, innate talent for catching mice.
  • That kitten is a born mouser; she caught her first mouse at three months old.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a cat proficient at mousing