The word "whiskered" is spelled with two syllables and the primary stress falls on the first syllable. Its IPA transcription is /ˈwɪskərd/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by the "s" sound and the "k" sound, while the second syllable is pronounced with a neutral schwa sound. The word means having whiskers or being covered in long, stiff hairs, commonly used to describe certain animals such as cats, dogs, and rodents.
Whiskered is an adjective that describes something or someone as having whiskers. Whiskers are a long, coarse, and bristly hair or set of hairs growing on the face of certain mammals, typically extending from the sides of the mouth or the muzzle area, although they can also be found on other parts of the body.
The term whiskered is commonly used when referring to animals that possess whiskers, such as cats, dogs, rats, and many other mammals. These whiskers, also known as vibrissae, are highly sensitive and are used by animals to sense their surroundings. They aid in detecting objects, air movement, and changes in their environment, playing a crucial role in their sensory perception.
Figuratively, whiskered can also be used to describe a person, typically an older individual, with a beard or mustache. In this context, it implies a certain maturity or wisdom associated with age.
Furthermore, whiskered can be used to describe objects or things that have a similar appearance to whiskers, such as plants or materials with long, thin, and bristly projections. For example, a plant or a fabric that has protruding thin hairs resembling whiskers can be referred to as whiskered.
Overall, the term whiskered refers to the presence of whiskers either on living beings or objects, emphasizing their wavy, bristly nature.
Formed into or furnished with whiskers.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "whiskered" originated from the noun "whisker", which comes from the Middle English word "whisker" or "wisker". It can be traced back to the Old English word "wiscian" or "wyscan", which means "to pluck, pull, or twitch". The original meaning of "whisker" referred to the stiff sensory hairs that grow on the face of animals such as cats or rats, particularly around the mouth or cheeks. Over time, "whisker" evolved to also refer to similar hair-like projections or structures in other organisms or objects. In relation to the word "whiskered", it refers to having or growing whiskers, particularly in reference to animals.