Whiskered: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Old English 'wisc', which refers to something that is quick or lively.
• It is often associated with the word 'whisk,' linking to the quick movement of the whiskers.
• In literature, 'whiskered' has historically been used to describe various animals, emphasizing their distinctive facial features.

Zoology

• Whiskers, or vibrissae, are specialized sensory hairs that help animals navigate their environment, especially in the dark.
• Different species have differing lengths and sensitivity of whiskers; for example, cats' whiskers can be as long as their body width.
• Whiskers can detect changes in air currents, alerting animals to nearby objects or potential threats.

Culture

• Cats are often depicted with prominent whiskers in cartoons and animations, reinforcing their curious and stealthy nature.
• The image of the whiskered face is common in popular culture, often symbolizing playfulness and curiosity in young children’s books.

Psychology

• Animal whiskers have been a subject of study to better understand how animals perceive their surroundings, which can shed light on human sensory processes.
• Observing the behavior of whiskered animals can influence people's emotions and foster empathy towards them.

Art

• Whiskers have been a popular subject in art, representing grace and agility in various animal depictions.
• In photography, close-up shots of whiskered animals often capture a sense of intimacy and connection with nature.

This word's position of #33,101 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

• ...
• 33098 chugging
• 33099 disrespectfully
• 33100 ratiocination
• 33101 whiskered
• 33102 vesper
• 33103 bleakly
• 33104 butte
• ...