THE word "cat" comes from a root of unknown origin; but undoubtedly it is almost identical with the original Aryan word which was used for this animal, as we find a close similarity throughout all the Aryan languages in the euphony and terseness of the word.

English, cat.

Grimalkin, an old cat, especially a she-cat. Pussy, a pet name for the cat. (The word "puss" indicates a hare, as well as a cat.) Anglo-Saxon, cat. Old Anglo-Saxon, catt. Danish, hat. Swedish, katt Icelandic, köttr. Irish, cat. Welsh, cath.

German, katze, kater.

Old German, chazza.

Latin, catus.

French, chat.

Italian, gatto, feminine gatta.

Spanish, gato.

Greek, xatta.

New Greek, yatta.

Russian and Polish, hot.

Armenian, kaz.

Turkish, kedi.

Arabic, qitt.

Emblematic Signification Of The Cat

The figure of the cat has certain significations when reproduced in art.

In the hieroglyphics of the ancient monuments of Egypt a cat represents false friendship, or a deceitful, flattering friend.

In heraldry a cat is an emblem of liberty, because it naturally dislikes to be shut up; and therefore the Burgundians, etc., bore a cat on their banners to intimate that they could not endure servitude.

It is a bold and daring creature, and also cruel to its enemy, and never gives over till it has destroyed it, if possible. It is also watchful, dexterous, swift, pliable, and has good nerves - thus, if it falls from a place never so high, it still alights on its feet - and therefore may denote those who have such forethought that whatsoever befalls them they are still on their guard.

In coat-armor the cat must always be represented as full-faced, and not showing one side of it, but both its eyes and both its ears. Argent three cats in pale sable is the coat of the family of Keat of Devonshire.

In recent years it has become the emblematic animal of newspaper offices and the editor's chair.