Catamount.—Cat of the mountain, the ordinary wild cat, when found on the mountains, among the rocks or woods.
Cat and trap.—A game or play (Ainsworth). This is probably that known as "trap, bat, and ball," as on striking the trap, after the ball is placed on the lever, it is propelled upwards, and then struck by the batsman.
Catapult.—A military engine for battering or attacking purposes. A modern toy, by which much mischief and evil is done by unthinking boys.
Cat-bird.—An American bird, whose cry resembles that of a cat, the Turdus felivox.
Cat-block.—A two or threefold block with an iron strap and large hook, used to draw up an anchor to the cat-head.
Cat-call.—"A tin whistle. The ancients divided their dramas into four parts: pro'tasis (introduction), epit'asis (continuation), catas'tasis (climax), and catas'trophë (conclusion or dénouement). The cat-call is the call for the cat or catastrophe."—Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.
"Sound, sound, ye viols; be the cat-call dumb."
Dunciade, I. 303.
The modern imitation of "cat-calls" is caused by whistling with two fingers in the mouth, and so making an intensely shrill noise, with waulings imitating "catterwaulings." Also a shrill tin whistle, round and flat, set against the teeth.
Cat-eaten Street.—In London; properly "Catte Street" (Stow).