Tabby

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈtæb.i/
• Rhymes: -æbi

Origin

Mid 17th century French atabis, from Arabic (attabi), ultimately from Arabic (al-Attabiya), a quarter of Baghdad (named for a Prince عتاب) which is associated with the manufacture of a certain type of waved silk. See also taffeta, another type of silk whose name derives from the Persian تافته (tâfta, "woven cloth") and shares a similar etymological origin.

Full definition of tabby

Noun

1. (uncountable) A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.
2. (uncountable) A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry, this becomes as hard as rock.
3. (countable) A brindled cat.
4. (countable, archaic) An old maid or gossip.

Synonyms

• (An old maid or gossip) See

Adjective

1. Having a wavy or watered appearance; as, a tabby waistcoat.
2. Brindled; diversified in color; as, a tabby cat.