Definition of the word cat

The origin of the word "cat" is believed to have come from ancient Egypt, where cats were revered as sacred animals. The word "cat" likely originated from the Egyptian word "miw," which was pronounced "mee-ooh." This word was used to refer to the domestic cat, as well as other wild cats. The Greek and Roman languages borrowed from the Egyptian language, and the word "miw" evolved into "katis" in Greek and "cattus" in Latin. From there, the word was adopted into Middle English as "cat," and has been used in English in the same form since the 14th century. In ancient Egypt, cats were mummified and placed in tombs to ensure the pharaoh's safe passage into the afterlife. The reverence for cats in ancient Egypt played a significant role in shaping the development of the word "cat" over time.