catnapper

noun

cat·​nap·​per ˈkat-ˌna-pər How to pronounce catnapper (audio)
variants or less commonly catnaper
: one who steals cats usually to sell them for research

Examples of catnapper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Within two weeks, the tiny black kitten was surrendered by his alleged catnapper, thanks to keen sleuthing work by a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s detective. Susannah Bryan, sun-sentinel.com, 28 Mar. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catnapper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

cat entry 1 + -napper (as in kidnapper)

First Known Use

1942, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catnapper was in 1942

Dictionary Entries Near catnapper

Cite this Entry

“Catnapper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catnapper. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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