Question of the Day #66

"I really don't like Patty. She's just too catty"

上記の文で、cattyの意味は？
In the sentence above, what does "catty" mean?

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Write your answer in the Comments.

明日、ここに答えを書きます。
I will add the answer and other remarks here tomorrow.

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解答

意味： 英辞郎によると、


【形】

1. 猫のような、猫に似た
2. 〔猫のように〕コソコソした
3. 意地の悪い、悪意ある

ということになるが、例文のような使い方では、だいたい３番目の意味がほとんどだと思っていいでしょう。

Answer

According to Dictionary.com:

1. catlike; feline.
2. slyly malicious; spiteful

I guess it goes without saying that the definition for the usage in the example sentence is usually the second of the two definitions above, although the first is also plausible.

Etymology/語源

Online Etymology Dictionaryによると、

「意地の悪い、悪意ある」の意味では、１８８６年が初出。

According to theOnline Etymology Dictionary:

1886, "devious and spiteful," from cat (n.) + -y

Examples

• “catty, petty, and self-serving,” is how one of those way-right-of-center folk described Geithner to me.
• Victoria (Madeleine Stowe) and Nolan (Gabriel Mann) are as catty and delightful as ever, but the rest of the show feels tired.
• Meanwhile, the gay Republican group, GOProud, cut their own ad, describing Frank as a “catty.”
• And not just catty little spats between debutantes—smack-talking text messages frequently led to physical altercations.
• catty quips about style choices are met with irrational exuberance over over-hyped new designs.