Gib
/dʒɪb/noun
A male cat, especially one that is neutered.
Did you know?The word is a clipped form of the male name **Gilbert**, which was used as a generic cat-name in Middle English before becoming the noun for a tomcat.
Etymological Timeline
Medieval English
English
Gib
“A familiar pet name for a cat, especially a male cat”
Middle English
English
gibbe
“A male cat; a tomcat”
Old French influence
French
Gibert / Gilbert
“A personal name used as a pet name source”
Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*Gisilberhtaz
“Bright pledge or noble pledge (the name elements behind Gilbert)”
Modern English
English
gib
“A male cat, especially a neutered male cat”