Master English one word at a time. World of Words provides a daily English word with its precise meaning, pronunciation, and practical usage examples to help you build a powerful vocabulary.
to steal or abduct a cat, especially in order to keep it as one's own
Explanation
As a noun, a catnap refers to catching some Z's, but the verb can have a very different meaning. To catnap is to steal a cat, especially with the intention of keeping it as your own. So while a catnap might sound like a harmless bit of shut-eye, make sure you know which meaning you're dealing with!
Example: Someone tried to catnap the neighbor's Persian kitten right off their front porch.
Something that stays fixed in one spot and doesn't move freely can be described as sessile. This adjective is used in biology for organisms, or parts of them, that are permanently attached to an object. Sessile comes from a Latin term meaning "to sit," fitting for an object or creature that's stuck in place.
Example: The sessile organisms remain anchored to ocean rocks for their entire lives.
