tiger

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A large, powerful wild cat with orange fur and black stripes, native to Asia.

   The tiger crept silently through the long grass toward its prey.

2. 2
   noun

   A bold, fierce, or determined person.

   On the tennis court he's a real tiger, fighting for every point.

3. 3
   noun

   A small country with a fast-growing economy.

   For years the country was seen as one of Asia's economic tigers.

From Middle English tygre, in part from Old English tigras (pl.), in part from Anglo-Norman tigre, both from Latin tigris, from Ancient Greek τίγρις (tígris), from Iranian (compare Avestan 𐬙𐬌𐬔𐬭𐬌 (tigri, “arrow”), 𐬙𐬌𐬖𐬭𐬀 (tiγra, “pointed”)). Ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *(s)teyg- (“to pierce, prick, be sharp”). Compare English stick.

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