wildcat

Describes an action that is unauthorized, unofficial, or uncontrolled, often used in the context of strikes or business ventures.

• 🇩🇪Beschreibt eine Handlung oder einen Vorgang, der nicht genehmigt, nicht offiziell oder unkontrolliert ist, häufig verwendet im Zusammenhang mit Streiks oder Geschäftsunternehmen.

1. Unauthorized or illegal C1 formal business

   Relating to business activities that are outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical practices.

   • The company engaged in wildcat trading schemes that violated regulations.
   • Wildcat banking practices led to financial instability in the region.
   • Authorities cracked down on wildcat operations in the market.

   🇩🇪Wildcat

   Synonyme: illegalillicitoutlawrenegaderogueunauthorizedunlawfulunofficialunsanctioned

   Antonyme: authorizedlegallegitimatelicensedofficialsanctioned

2. Without official authorization C1 formal

   Done without official approval or sanction, often referring to strikes or actions.

   • The workers organized a wildcat strike despite union opposition.
   • Wildcat protests erupted without prior notice to authorities.
   • Management refused to negotiate with the wildcat committee.

   🇩🇪Wilder Streik

   Synonyme: unauthorizedunofficialunsanctioned

   Antonyme: approvedauthorizedofficialsanctioned

3. Speculative drilling C2 formal technical

   Describing a mine or oil well drilled in an area not known to be productive, based on speculation.

   • The company invested heavily in wildcat drilling in the remote desert.
   • Wildcat wells often yield no oil but can lead to major discoveries.
   • Geologists assessed the risks of wildcat exploration in uncharted territory.

   🇩🇪Wildcat-Bohrung

   Synonyme: exploratoryspeculativeunprovenuntested

• more wildcat comparative form
• most wildcat superlative form

A noun with multiple meanings: it can refer to an exploratory oil well drilled in an area not known to be an oil field, a cruelly rapacious person, or any small to medium-sized wild cat resembling a domestic cat.

• 🇩🇪Substantiv mit mehreren Bedeutungen: eine auf gut Glück gebohrte Explorationsbohrung auf der Suche nach Erdöl oder Erdgas außerhalb bekannter Felder; ein gewalttätiger oder rücksichtsloser Mensch; sowie jede kleine bis mittelgroße wild lebende Katze, die der Hauskatze ähnelt.

1. Exploratory oil well C1 formal technical

   An oil well drilled in an area not known to contain oil, often as a speculative venture.

   • The company invested heavily in a wildcat in the remote desert.
   • Wildcat drilling is risky but can yield huge profits.
   • They struck oil with their first wildcat well.

   🇩🇪Erdöl-Explorationsbohrung

2. Cruel or aggressive person C1 informal

   A person who is ruthlessly greedy or violent, often in business or personal dealings.

   • He was a financial wildcat, ruining companies for profit.
   • The gang leader was a wildcat who showed no mercy.
   • She called him a wildcat after he cheated his partners.

   🇩🇪Brutaler oder aggressiver Mensch

   Synonyme: cutthroatpredatorsharkvulture

3. Wild feline B2 formal scientific

   Any small or medium-sized wild cat species, such as the European wildcat or African wildcat.

   • The European wildcat is larger than a domestic cat.
   • Wildcats are solitary animals that hunt at night.
   • The African wildcat is believed to be the ancestor of domestic cats.

   🇩🇪Wildkatze

• wildcats plural form
• wildcats' possessive plural form
• wildcat's possessive singular form