Cattily: meaning, definitions and examples
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cattily
[ ˈkætəˌli ]
tone of voice
In a manner that is critical or spiteful, often implying an element of sarcasm or insinuation. When someone speaks cattily, they usually aim to hurt or belittle another person, often with sharp remarks.
Synonyms
insidiously, sarcastically, sneeringly.
Examples of usage
- She commented cattily about her coworker's presentation skills.
- He replied cattily, questioning her intelligence.
- They often speak cattily behind each other's backs.
Translations
Translations of the word "cattily" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sarcasticamente
🇮🇳 व्यंग्यात्मक रूप से
🇩🇪 sarkastisch
🇮🇩 sinis
🇺🇦 іронічно
🇵🇱 sarkastycznie
🇯🇵 皮肉っぽく
🇫🇷 sarcastiquement
🇪🇸 sarcásticamente
🇹🇷 alaycı bir şekilde
🇰🇷 비꼬는 방식으로
🇸🇦 بشكل ساخر
🇨🇿 sarkasticky
🇸🇰 sarkasticky
🇨🇳 讽刺地
🇸🇮 sarkastično
🇮🇸 háðslega
🇰🇿 мазақтап
🇬🇪 სარკასტულად
🇦🇿 sarkastik şəkildə
🇲🇽 sarcásticamente
Etymology
The term 'cattily' is derived from the base word 'catty,' which dates back to the 19th century, originally used to describe the behavior of a domestic cat, particularly its penchant for being sly or stealthy. The use of 'catty' to describe a person emerged from the notion that cats can be sharp, quick, and, at times, vindictive in their behavior, particularly in social interactions. The adverbial form, 'cattily,' came into existence to convey actions performed in a catty manner, emphasizing the critical and sometimes malicious tone in spoken language. Over time, the usage has expanded in informal contexts, often targeting women’s behavior, reflecting societal attitudes towards femininity and meanness. While 'catty' initially related to animals, its metaphorical adaptation to human behavior highlights the complexities of interpersonal dynamics and the nuances of language.