wildcat

• Décrit une action qui est non autorisée, officieuse ou incontrôlée, souvent utilisée dans le contexte de grèves ou d'entreprises.

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

1. Unauthorized or illegalC1formalbusiness

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

   sauvage / illégal (activité économique)

   • 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.

   Synonymesillegalillicitoutlawrenegaderogueunauthorizedunlawfulunofficialunsanctioned

   Antonymesauthorizedlegallegitimatelicensedofficialsanctioned

2. Without official authorizationC1formal

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

   sauvage (non officiel)

   • 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.

   Synonymesunauthorizedunofficialunsanctioned

   Antonymesapprovedauthorizedofficialsanctioned

3. Speculative drillingC2formaltechnical

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

   Forage spéculatif

   • 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.

   Synonymesexploratoryspeculativeunprovenuntested

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : il peut désigner un puits de pétrole de reconnaissance foré dans une zone non connue comme gisement, une personne féroce et prédatrice, ou tout chat sauvage de petite ou moyenne taille ressemblant au chat domestique.

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.

1. Exploratory oil wellC1formaltechnical

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

   Forage exploratoire

   • 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.

2. Cruel or aggressive personC1informal

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

   Personne impitoyable et agressive

   • 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.

   Synonymescutthroatpredatorsharkvulture

3. Wild felineB2formalscientific

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

   Chat sauvage

   • 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.