catamite

noun

cat·​a·​mite ˈka-tə-ˌmīt How to pronounce catamite (audio)
: a boy kept by a pederast

Word History

Etymology

Latin catamitus, from Catamitus Ganymede, from Etruscan Catmite, from Greek Ganymēdēs

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catamite was in 1593

Dictionary Entries Near catamite

Cite this Entry

“Catamite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catamite. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

catamite

noun
cat·​a·​mite ˈkat-ə-ˌmīt How to pronounce catamite (audio)
: a boy kept by a pederast

called also pathic

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!