ailurophile
nounUK /aɪˈljʊəɹəˌfaɪl/
Etymology From ailuro- (“cat”) + -phile (“lover”), from Ancient Greek αἴλουρος (aílouros, “cat”) + φίλος (phílos, “dear, beloved”).
1
A person with ailurophilia; a cat-lover.
- He played the piano well, was an enthusiastic ailurophile, and persistently played solitaire while talking and writing.1971, E. F. Bleiler, “Introduction”, in Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Montague Rhodes James, page 4:
- When the archbishop would send Philip on an assignment, he would leave the cat in the care of the archbishop, who apparently was not an ailurophile.2001, Woodeene Koenig-Bricker, Praying With the Saints: Making Their Prayers Your Own, page 192:
2 more examples
- Alicia is not a serious ailurophile, however; she neglects Chestnut, and Chestnut knows it.2002, Carol Shields, Unless, page 195:
- Your identity as an ailurophile (cat lover) is confirmed by cat hair on your clothes, but that is a distinction that most of us will gladly forfeit.2005, Dan Rice, Bengal Cats: Everything about Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Breeding, Health Care and Behavior, page 53:
- Synonyms
- cataholic, catlover, catophile, felophile, felinophile
- Antonyms
- ailurophobe
- Related terms
- ailurophilia, ailurophiliac, ailurophilic
- Hyponyms
- cat lady