Dictionary Definition
purr n : a low vibrating sound typical of a
contented cat
Verb
1 make a soft swishing sound; "the motor
whirred"; "the car engine purred" [syn: whizz, whiz, whirr, whir, birr]
2 indicate pleasure by purring; characteristic of
cats [syn: make
vibrant sounds]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Pronunciation
-
- Rhymes: -ɜː(r)
Verb
- Of a cat, to make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented.
Translations
- Dutch: spinnen
- Finnish: kehrätä
- French: ronronner
- German: schnurren
- Greek: γουργουρίζω (ɣurɣurizo)
- Italian: fare le fusa
- Polish mruczeć
- Portuguese: ronronar
- Russian мурлыкать (murlýkat’)
- Spanish: ronronear
Noun
Translations
- Dutch: spinnen
- French: ronron , ronronnement
- German: Schnurren
- Greek: γουργούρισμα (ɣurɣurisma)
- Italian: fusa f|p
- Russian: мурлыканье , мур (the sound itself)
- Spanish: ronroneo
Extensive Definition
A purr is a sound made by all species of
felines and is a part of
cat
communication. It varies in detail from cat to cat (e.g., loudness, tone,
etc.), and from species to species, but can be characterized as a
sort of tonal buzzing. Domestic cats purr in a frequency range of 22.4 to
30.2 hertz. Some cats purr
so strongly that their entire bodies vibrate; conversely, other
cats may purr so quietly that the only indication is a vibration
felt when touching the cat's throat. In addition, some are able to
meow or hiss without interrupting the purring sound. (Listen to a
domestic cat purring)
Although purring is most commonly associated with
felines, other animals, such as raccoons, also purr.
How felines purr
Despite being a universally recognized phenomenon, the exact mechanism by which the cat purrs has been frustratingly elusive for scientists. This is partly because the cat has no obvious anatomical feature unique to it that would be responsible. One hypothesis, backed up by electromyographic studies, is that cats produce the purring noise by fast twitching of the muscles in their larynx, which rapidly dilate and constrict the glottis, thus causing vibrations in the air both during inhalation and exhalation. Combined with the steady inhalation and exhalation of air as the cat breathes, a purring noise is produced with strong harmonics.It was once believed that only the cats of the
Felis
genus could purr; some
older texts may still say this. In fact, all cats are able to purr,
although the cats of the Panthera genus are
only able to purr when exhaling. All cats other than the Panthera,
even larger ones such as the cheetah, purr.
Historical theories
One hypothesis held that purring involved blood hitting the aorta. Another possibility was that another area of soft tissue or muscular tissue in the neck or torso (e.g., the diaphragm) similarly vibrates. Another held that purring might be caused by vibration of the hyoid apparatus, a series of small bones connecting the skull and the larynx that nominally serves to support the tongue. Yet another hypothesis held that cats might possess a special purring organ, though none was ever found.Why felines Purr
Ethologist Paul
Leyhousen, in his book Cat Behavior, interprets purring as a signal
meaning "I am not a threat" to explain the otherwise differing
circumstances that elicit the sound.
Purring may also be a signaling mechanism between
mother cats and nursing
kittens. Female cats are
known to purr while giving birth.
In many instances domestic cats have been
reported to purr when in pain or dying.
References
- Stogdale L, Delack JB. Feline purring. Compendium on Continuing Education for the Practicing Veterinarian 1985; 7: 551-553.
External links
purr in German: Schnurren
purr in Esperanto: Ronronado
purr in French: Ronronnement
purr in Italian: Fusa (gatto)
purr in Dutch: Spinnen (kat)
purr in Norwegian Nynorsk: Kattemaling
purr in Finnish: Kehrääminen
(kissaeläimet)