Tabby: meaning, definitions and examples

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tabby

 

[ หˆtรฆbi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

type of cat

A tabby is a domestic cat with a distinctive coat featuring stripes, dots, or swirling patterns, often blended with a background color. The term 'tabby' most commonly refers to the coat pattern rather than a specific breed of cat.

Synonyms

mackerel tabby, striped cat, tiger cat

Examples of usage

  • My tabby loves to play with yarn.
  • There are several types of tabby patterns.
  • She adopted a tabby from the shelter.
Context #2 | Noun

fabric type

Tabby can also refer to a type of fabric, particularly silk, characterized by a plain weave with a slight ribbed texture. This type of fabric is often used in clothing, upholstery, and drapery.

Synonyms

plain weave, silk fabric

Examples of usage

  • The dress was made of beautiful tabby silk.
  • They chose a tabby fabric for the sofa.
  • Her curtains are made from a fine tabby weave.

Translations

Translations of the word "tabby" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น tigrado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคคเคฌเฅ€

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schildpatt

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tabby

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‚ะฐะฑะฑั–

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ tabby

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฟใƒ“ใƒผ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท tabby

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ tabby

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tabby

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํƒ€๋น„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุงุจูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tabby

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ tabby

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่™Žๆ–‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ tabby

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ tabby

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะฐะฑะฑะธ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒขแƒแƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tabby

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ tabby

Etymology

The word 'tabby' comes from the Middle French term 'tabis', which referred to a type of silk fabric that had a wavy, patterned appearance. This fabric was named after Attabiy, a district in Baghdad known for producing such textiles. As the fabric became popular in Europe during the Middle Ages, the term 'tabby' gradually shifted from its initial meaning of a fabric to describe the striped or patterned fur of certain cats that resembled the texture of the fabric. The association between the fabric and the coat pattern likely solidified due to the visual similarities. Today, 'tabby' overwhelmingly denotes the coat patterns found in domestic cats, encompassing various styles such as mackerel, classic, spotted, and ticked tabby, while retaining its historical roots in textile descriptions.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,289 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.