The word 'purr' is an imitative word, that has been in use since at least 1601.
Purring is still not fully understood, but it is probably a modified roar. All cats (Family: Felidae) and two species of genets (Genus: genetta) purr, using a strict definition.
Purring is most pronounced in the Genus: Felis.
The domestic cat (Felis catus), is descended from the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and was first domesticated about 8,000 BCE, in the Middle East.
Most people probably used (and still use) an imitative sound or word to describe a cat's purr, depending on the language spoken.
The word 'engine' is derived from the Latin word for 'ingenious' (ingeniosus). Various types of engines have been in use since antiquity, some of which might have made a similar noise to a cat purring.
The word 'motor', is often incorrectly used to describe an internal combustion engine. (First used in the 1800's during the early development of internal combustion engines, to differentiate them from earlier steam engines).
A 'motor' is an electric device (electric motor), that should not make a purring noise if it is in proper working order.
What was a cat's motor called before motors were invented?
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The word 'purr' is an imitative word, that has been in use since at least 1601.
Purring is still not fully understood, but it is probably a modified roar. All cats (Family: Felidae) and two species of genets (Genus: genetta) purr, using a strict definition.
Purring is most pronounced in the Genus: Felis.
The domestic cat (Felis catus), is descended from the African Wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica) and was first domesticated about 8,000 BCE, in the Middle East.
Most people probably used (and still use) an imitative sound or word to describe a cat's purr, depending on the language spoken.
The word 'engine' is derived from the Latin word for 'ingenious' (ingeniosus). Various types of engines have been in use since antiquity, some of which might have made a similar noise to a cat purring.
The word 'motor', is often incorrectly used to describe an internal combustion engine. (First used in the 1800's during the early development of internal combustion engines, to differentiate them from earlier steam engines).
A 'motor' is an electric device (electric motor), that should not make a purring noise if it is in proper working order.