Definition of tabby

• n. - A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.
• n. - A mixture of lime with shells, gravel, or stones, in equal proportions, with an equal proportion of water. When dry, this becomes as hard as rock.
• n. - A brindled cat; hence, popularly, any cat.
• n. - An old maid or gossip.
• a. - Having a wavy or watered appearance; as, a tabby waistcoat.
• a. - Brindled; diversified in color; as, a tabby cat.
• v. t. - To water; to cause to look wavy, by the process of calendering; to calender; as, to tabby silk, mohair, ribbon, etc.