Felid
/ˈfiːlɪd/noun
Any mammal of the cat family, including lions, tigers, and domestic cats.
Did you know?Felid comes from Latin felinus/felis, and that same ancient root also survives in scientific names like Felis and felinity, preserving the cat’s old place in natural history.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dʰeh₁-
“To suck or suckle; the proposed deep root behind Latin fel- words connected to nursing”
Latin
Latin
felis
“A cat, especially a domestic cat or wildcat”
Latin
Latin
felīnus
“Of or pertaining to cats”
19th Century
English
felid
“A member of the cat family (scientific zoological term)”
Modern English
English
felid
“Any cat-like mammal in the family Felidae”