Catmalison

/kætˈmælɪsən/ noun

Definition

A violent curse or curse-like exclamation, historically used as a strong expression of anger or frustration.

Etymology

From Old French catmaleiçon, from Latin catamaleductio (mal- meaning bad, and -ductio from ducere, to lead). An archaic form of malediction specifically associated with cat-related abuse.

Kelly Says

Catmalison is one of the most obscure curses in English—it literally means a curse laid upon cats, reflecting medieval attitudes where cats were sometimes associated with witchcraft and received harsh treatment. It's a window into how our ancestors cursed!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.