wildcat

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

• 🇪🇸Describe una acción que no está autorizada, es informal o no controlada, usada a menudo en el contexto de huelgas o empresas. También puede referirse a algo salvaje o impredecible.

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.

   🇪🇸ilegal, no autorizado

   Sinónimos: illegalillicitoutlawrenegaderogueunauthorizedunlawfulunofficialunsanctioned

   Antónimos: 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.

   🇪🇸salvaje / no autorizado

   Sinónimos: unauthorizedunofficialunsanctioned

   Antónimos: 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.

   🇪🇸Pozo exploratorio / Perforación especulativa

   Sinónimos: 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.

• 🇪🇸Sustantivo con varios significados: puede referirse a un pozo petrolífero de exploración perforado en una zona no conocida como yacimiento, a una persona feroz y depredadora, o a cualquier gato salvaje de tamaño pequeño o mediano parecido al doméstico.

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.

   🇪🇸Pozo exploratorio

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.

   🇪🇸Persona cruel o agresiva

   Sinónimos: 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.

   🇪🇸Gato montés

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