catnip

English

/ˈkatnɪp/

noun

Definitions

Any of the about 250 species of flowering plant of the genus Nepeta, family Lamiaceae, certain of which are said to have medicinal qualities.
(figurative) Something that causes excitement or interest.

Etymology

Affix from English cat (former derogatory term for a person) + Middle English nep derived from Old English nepte derived from Latin nepeta (catnip, catmint).

Origin

Latin

nepeta

Gloss

catnip, catmint

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

KatyCat English
anticat English
bearcat English
bobcat English
bushcat English
cat English
cat burglar English
cat train English
cat-o'-nine-tails English
cat-witted English
cataholic English
catbird English
catblogging English
catboy English
catbutt English
catcall English
catcatcher English
catclaw English
catdom English
caterwaul English
catess English
catface English
catfall English
catfight English
catfish English
catfit English
catfucker English
catgirl English
cathair English
cathead English
cathole English
cathood English
cathouse English
catkin English
catkind English
catlap English
catless English
catlet English
catlicker English
catlike English
catling English
catloaf English
catlore English
catlover English
catly English
catmeat English
catmill English
catmint English
catnap English
catness English
catnippy English
catophile English
catperson English
catproof English
catscratch English
catshank English
catshark English
catshit English
catsicle English
catsitter English
catskin English
catslaughter English
catslide English
catspeak English
catstail English
catstep English
catstick English
catstitch English
catsuit English
catswort English
cattail English
cattery English
cattish English
catty English
catwalk English
catwise English
catwoman English
catworm English
catwort English
copycat English
flat-headed cat English
gib-cat English
grandcat English
he-cat English
hellcat English
hepcat English
herd cats English
housecat English
jungle cat English
kitling English
kitten English
kitty-cat English
kleptocat English
lolcat English
mudcat English
multicat English
noncat English
robocat English
rusty-spotted cat English
sabercat English
sabrecat English
saltcat English
scaredy cat English
scaredy-cat English
she-cat English
tipcat English
watchcat English
werecat English
wild cat English
wildcat English
nepeta Latin
nepitella Italian
chat French
népète French
кот Russian
nébeda Spanish, Castilian
キャット Japanese
nepte Old English
cat Middle English
nep Middle English
neppe Middle English
nébeda Galician
catto Interlingua