catspaws

/ˈkætsˌpɔz/
noun
  1. Plural of catspaw; people used by others as tools or dupes.
    • The history books are full of catspaws who were sacrificed for their leaders' goals.
    • In the spy novel, both agents were catspaws for their respective intelligence agencies.
    • The workers felt like catspaws in the dispute between the two companies.
  2. Plural of catspaw; light breezes that ripple the surface of water.
    • The afternoon was calm except for occasional catspaws on the reservoir.
    • Fishermen watch for catspaws to find where the wind will bring the fish.
    • Catspaws moved across the pond like invisible fingers.
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