wild-cat
Untamed jungle cat
A wild-cat is any of various small to medium-sized wild felines, as distinguished from domestic cats—bobcats, lynxes, ocelots.
The hyphenated spelling is less common than the solid *wildcat*, which extends to risky ventures: a wildcat oil well is drilled speculatively, and a wildcat strike happens without union authorization.
Tufted-eared wild feline
- bobcatWild cat, abbreviated tail
- ocelotSmall spotted American wildcat
- caracalTufted-eared wild feline
- servalAfrican wildcat with oversized ears
puma · cougar · panther · leopard · jaguar · cheetah · clouded leopard · snow leopard
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- high-riskInvolving significant danger
- unregulatedNot controlled by rules
- drillingHole-making by rotation
- prospectingSearching for mineral wealth
oil well · speculative · gamble · risky · entrepreneurial · volatile · chancy · exploratory
Violently intense or aggressive
- untamedNot domesticated
- ferociousExtremely violent or aggressive
- spiritedFull of vim
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
aggressive · defiant · rebellious · independent · uncontrollable · volatile · headstrong · feral
Wander from course
- free-roamingAble to wander unrestricted
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- untamedNot domesticated
- roamingMoving without fixed purpose
wandering · solitary · nocturnal · scavenger · survivor · streetwise · elusive · wary
Sudden attack leap
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- huntPursuit of quarry
prey · fangs · stealth · prowl · carnivore · nocturnal · agile · swift
Not officially permitted
- unofficialNot formally recognized
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- walkoutProtest by leaving
- laborStrenuous effort; also childbirth
protest · union · workers · stoppage · industrial action · unsanctioned · sudden · disruptive
lynx
Tufted-eared wild feline
serval · puma · cougar · panther · leopard · jaguar · cheetah · clouded leopard · snow leopard · margay
speculation
Unproven theorizing or risky investment
- high-riskInvolving significant danger
- unregulatedNot controlled by rules
- drillingHole-making by rotation
prospecting · oil well · speculative · gamble · risky · entrepreneurial · volatile · chancy · exploratory · startup
fierce
Violently intense or aggressive
unpredictable · aggressive · defiant · rebellious · independent · uncontrollable · volatile · headstrong · feral · savage
stray
Wander from course
- free-roamingAble to wander unrestricted
- undomesticatedNot bred for captivity
- untamedNot domesticated
roaming · wandering · solitary · nocturnal · scavenger · survivor · streetwise · elusive · wary · territorial
pounce
Sudden attack leap
- clawsAnimal gripping nails
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
hunt · prey · fangs · stealth · prowl · carnivore · nocturnal · agile · swift · cunning
unauthorized
Not officially permitted
- unofficialNot formally recognized
- spontaneousArising without external cause
- walkoutProtest by leaving
labor · protest · union · workers · stoppage · industrial action · unsanctioned · sudden · disruptive
wild-catdomestic cat
Tamed feline pet
house cat · pet cat · housecat · lap cat · indoor cat
wildcat, wildcats, wildcat strike, wildcatter, wildcatting, wildcatted