cat's cradle

cat's cradle
noun Date: 1754 1. a game in which a string looped in a pattern like a cradle on the fingers of one person's hands is transferred to the hands of another so as to form a different figure 2. something that is intricate, complicated, or elaborate <
a cat's cradle of red tape
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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  • Cat's cradle — is a well known series of string figures created between two people as a game. The name of the entire game, the specific figures, their order, and the names of the figures vary. Versions of this game have been found in indigenous cultures all… …   Wikipedia

  • Cat's cradle — cat cat (k[a^]t), n. [AS. cat; akin to D. & Dan. kat, Sw. katt, Icel. k[ o]ttr, G. katze, kater, Ir. cat, W. cath, Armor. kaz, LL. catus, Bisc. catua, NGr. ga ta, ga tos, Russ. & Pol. kot, Turk. kedi, Ar. qitt; of unknown origin. Cf. {Kitten}.] 1 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Cat's cradle — Cradle Cra dle (kr[=a]d l), n. [AS. cradel, cradol, prob. from Celtic; cf. Gael. creathall, Ir. craidhal, W. cryd a shaking or rocking, a cradle; perh. akin to E. crate.] 1. A bed or cot for a baby, oscillating on rockers or swinging on pivots;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • cat's cradle — n 1.) [U] a game you play by winding string around your fingers to make different patterns 2.) [singular] a set of lines, threads etc that form a complicated pattern ▪ The searchlights wove a cat s cradle of light …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • cat's cradle — noun uncount a game in which children hold a piece of string around their hands and make patterns by moving their fingers through the string …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • cat's cradle — ► NOUN ▪ a child s game in which patterns are constructed in a loop of string held between the fingers of each hand …   English terms dictionary

  • cat's cradle — n. a children s pastime in which a string looped over the fingers is transferred back and forth on the hands of the players so as to form different designs …   English World dictionary

  • Cat's Cradle — For other uses see Cat s cradle (disambiguation). Infobox Book name = Cat s Cradle title orig = Cat s Cradle translator = image caption = First edition hardback cover author = Kurt Vonnegut illustrator = cover artist = country = United States… …   Wikipedia

  • Cat's cradle (disambiguation) — Cat s cradle may refer to:*Cat s cradle, the specific string figure game and the specific figure, cat s cradle *String figures and games in general *Cat s Cradle, the novel *Cat s in the Cradle, the Harry Chapin song *Cat s Cradle (television… …   Wikipedia

  • cat's cradle — cat s′ cra′dle n. gam a game in which two players alternately stretch a looped string over their fingers to produce different designs • Etymology: 1760–70 …   From formal English to slang

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