cat's cradle en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Meanings
- (uncountable) A children's game of forming string into various shapes around one's fingers.
-
(countable, idiomatic) Any complicated structure that appears to be without purpose.
There was the a risk that my research might reveal the original, rightful owner of an instrument, which could open up a cat's cradle of restitution claims.
2020, Sophy Roberts, The Lost Pianos of Siberia, page 89:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| cat's cradles | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (14)
bg котешка люлка (children's game) · he סבתא סורגת (children's game) · fr (jeu de la) scie (children's game) · ko 실뜨기 (children's game) · pt cama de gato (children's game) · ja あやとり (children's game) · mi whai (children's game) · fr (jeu du) berceau (children's game) · ga crúb na gé (children's game) · de Fadenspiel (children's game) · eo fadenludo (children's game) · nv naʼatłʼoʼ (children's game) · pl kocia kołyska (children's game) · hy թելեցուկ (children's game)