Definition of "wildcat" in Anglais

noun

1. A cat that lives in the wilderness, specifically:

2. (figurative) A person who acts like a wildcat, (usually) a violent and easily-angered person or a sexually vigorous one.

   • 2002 September 26, The Young and the Restless Anyone who's man enough to have landed a wildcat like you had to be quite a guy.

3. (American football) An offensive formation with an unbalanced line and a snap directly to the running back rather than the quarterback.

4. (nautical) A wheel that can be adjusted so as to revolve either with or on the shaft of a capstan.

5. (firearms) Clipping of wildcat cartridge.

6. (uncommon) Clipping of wildcat strike (“a strike undertaken without authorization from the relevant trade union”).

7. (obsolete) Clipping of wildcat money (“notes issued by a wildcat bank”).

adjective

1. (usually derogatory) Of or concerning businesses operating outside standard or legitimate practice, especially:

2. (firearms) Of or concerning customized or hand-made cartridges.

3. Unauthorized by the proper authorities.

   • 2003 June 15, CNN Jewish settlers have also been active putting up five new wildcat outposts on hilltops in the West Bank to try to thwart their Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

verb

1. (oil industry) To drill for oil in an area where no oil has been found before.

   • You'd have to be very rich or very desperate to go wildcatting that far east.