goat

 
Pronunciation: /gəʊt/

noun

  • 1a hardy domesticated ruminant mammal that has backward-curving horns and (in the male) a beard. It is kept for its milk and meat, and noted for its lively behaviour.
    • Capra hircus, family Bovidae, descended from the wild bezoar
  • a wild mammal related to the goat, such as the ibex. See also mountain goat
  • (the Goat) the zodiacal sign Capricorn or the constellation Capricornus.
  • 2a lecherous man.
  • 3British informal a stupid person; a fool: just for once, stop acting the goat
  • 4US a scapegoat.

Phrases

get someone's goat

informal irritate someone.

Derivatives

goatish

adjective

goaty

adjective

Origin:

Old English gāt 'nanny goat', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geit and German Geiss, also to Latin haedus 'kid'