wildcat
wildcat /ˈwaɪldˌkæt/
adjective
-
(of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive
(
wildcat
)
(of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive
Drilling there would be strictly a wildcat operation
drilling there would be strictly a wildcat operation
A wildcat mine
a wildcat mine
Wildcat drilling
wildcat drilling
Wildcat wells
wildcat wells
-
Without official authorization
(
unauthorised
[British] , unauthorized
, wildcat
)
without official authorization
An unauthorized strike
an unauthorized strike
Wildcat work stoppage
wildcat work stoppage
-
Outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical business practices
(
wildcat
)
outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical business practices
Wildcat currency issued by irresponsible banks
wildcat currency issued by irresponsible banks
Wildcat stock speculation
wildcat stock speculation
A wildcat airline
a wildcat airline
Wildcat life insurance schemes
wildcat life insurance schemes
noun
-
()
An exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
(
wildcat well
, wildcat
)
an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
-
()
Any small or medium-sized cat resembling the domestic cat and living in the wild
(
wildcat
)
any small or medium-sized cat resembling the domestic cat and living in the wild
The wildcat, though similar in size to domestic cats, is a fierce and independent creature.
The wildcat, though similar in size to domestic cats, is a fierce and independent creature.
-
()
[Informal]
A cruelly rapacious person
(
savage
, wolf
, beast
, brute
, wildcat
[Informal] )
a cruelly rapacious person