wild´cat´ter

wild´cat´ter
wild|cat «WYLD KAT», noun, adjective, verb, -cat|ted, -cat|ting.
–noun.
1. Scientifically, any wild member of the common cat species Felis silvestris. In a looser or less scientific usage, however, wildcat can refer to other species of larger cats, including the bobcat, Eurasian lynx, ocelot, or serval.
2. Figurative. a fierce or savage person, especially a woman.
3. Figurative. a) a risky or unsafe business undertaking. b) a well drilled for oil or gas in a region where none has been found before.
4. U.S. Informal. a locomotive and its tender operating without other cars.
–adjective.
1. not safe; wild; reckless: »

a wildcat company. He lost all of his money by investing in wildcat stocks.

2. of or denoting an illicit business or enterprise or its products.
3. running without control or without a schedule: »

a wildcat engine.

4. not authorized by proper union officials; precipitated by small groups or local unions: »

a wildcat strike.

–transitive verb, intransitive verb.
to drill wells in regions not known to contain oil or gas.
–wild´cat´ter, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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