a. (Also tigerine.) [ad. L. tigrīn-us (Pliny) marked like a tiger: see -INE1.] Of, pertaining to, or resembling a tiger, esp. in marking or coloring; in specific names of animals translating L. tigrīnus.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Tigrine, of, or like the swift beast called a Tigre.
1800. Shaw, Gen. Zool., I. 408. Tigerine weesel … of the size of a Cat, and of mild manners. The body … with a black stripe from head to tail, and spotted on the sides with brown. Ibid. (1803), IV. 556. Tigrine Holocentrus … native of the Indian seas.
1842. Penny Cycl., XXIV. 440/1. Two soldiers … habited and shielded so as to exhibit a tigerine aspect.
1861. G. Meredith, Evan Harrington, xl. With tigrine claw thou manglest my speech.
1908. Times, 8 June, 6/3. Carpet, diamond, and tigrine snakes.
