Kitten

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkɪtÉ™n/
• Rhymes: -ɪtÉ™n

Origin

From Middle English kiton, kitoun, kyton ("kitten"), diminutive of cat ("cat"). First element probably from Middle English kiteling ("kitten, kit"), from Old Norse ketlingr ("kitten"), or possibly from Anglo-Norman *kiton, Old French chiton, diminutive of cat, chat ("cat"), from Late Latin cattus. Compare Low German kitten ("kitten"). More at kitling, cat, -en.

Full definition of kitten

Noun

1. A young cat. Diminutive: kitty.
• 2011, December 14, Steven Morris, Devon woman jailed for 168 days for killing kitten in microwave, Jailing her on Wednesday, magistrate Liz Clyne told Robins: "You have shown little remorse either for the death of the kitten or the trauma to your former friend Sarah Knutton." She was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
2. A young rabbit, rat, hedgehog, squirrel, fox, beaver or badger.

Derived terms

Verb

1. To give birth to kittens.----