A hypothetical cat that is depicted as being surrounded by perfectly uncertain circumstances that make an external observer absolutely unable to deem the cat either alive or dead, especially if the possibilities of survival of the cat are expected to be analysed from the point of view of quantum mechanics. Typically, these circumstances involve the cat being inside a box while being the victim of a danger that may or may not kill it, such as radiation.

The thought experiment which was devised by Erwin Schrödinger, is usually considered a paradox, involves a Schrödinger's cat and is typically supposed to be analysed from the point of view of quantum mechanics.

(simile) Very nervous.

(informal, endearing) A cat; a pussy. / (informal) A gentle or soft-hearted person. / The silky catkin of various willows. / (dated) A sexy woman.

A particularly stealthy burglar, especially one who gains undetected entry through the use of agility.

(slang, originally) A rich person who contributes to a political campaign. / (slang, derogatory) Any affluent person who is perceived to have profited from the labour of others.

(idiomatic, in similes) To attempt to control the uncontrollable. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see herd, cat.

(physics) A superposition of the most extreme states possible in a system, analogous with Schrödinger's cat, which is in a superposition of "dead" and "alive".

A type of food specially formulated for the feeding of cats, typically composed of processed grain and meat byproducts as dry food or canned fish or meat as wet food.

Alternative form of scaredy-cat (“coward”)