Tabby (?), n.; pl. Tabbies (#). [F. tabis (cf. It. tabì, Sp. & Pg. tabí, LL. attabi), fr. Ar. 'attābī, properly the name of a quarter of Bagdad where it was made, the quarter being named from the prince Attab, great grandson of Omeyya. Cf. Tobine.] 1. A kind of waved silk, usually called watered silk, manufactured like taffeta, but thicker and stronger. The watering is given to it by calendering.[1913 Webster]
2. 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. Weale.[1913 Webster]
3. A brindled cat; hence, popularly, any cat.[1913 Webster]
4. An old maid or gossip. [Colloq.] Byron.[1913 Webster]
Tabby (?), a. 1. Having a wavy or watered appearance; as, a tabby waistcoat. Pepys.[1913 Webster]
2. Brindled; diversified in color; as, a tabby cat.[1913 Webster]
Tabby moth (Zoöl.), the grease moth. See under Grease.[1913 Webster]
Tabby, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Tabbied (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tabbying (?).] To water; to cause to look wavy, by the process of calendering; to calender; as, to tabby silk, mohair, ribbon, etc.[1913 Webster]