Feline
/ˈfiː.laɪn/noun
Relating to or affecting cats or other members of the family Felidae.
Did you know?The Latin root 'felinus' was often associated with the goddess of magic, further linking cats to the occult and mysterious realms.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pə́lḱu̯s
“A term denoting a cat-like creature, possibly referring to swift and agile hunters.”
Latin
Latin
felinus
“Pertaining to cats, often viewed as graceful and mysterious animals.”
Old French
Old French
feline
“Adjective form referring to characteristics of cats, emphasizing their elegance.”
Middle English
Middle English
feline
“Adoption of the term to describe domestic cats and their attributes.”
Modern English
English
feline
“Used to describe anything relating to cats, embodying their traits of agility and mystery.”