cat's-paw

noun10

1. •
   A paw of a cat.
2. •
   (US) A supervisor whose reliance on a subordinate's analysis is so complete as to render him or her liable for the subordinate's animus or other misconduct towards a third employee.
3. •
   (figurative) Someone who acts in another's interest, (properly) unknowingly or through trickery.

   • To take the Cat by the foote, and therewith rake the coales out of the Ouen. — 1622
4. •
   A small crowbar with a handle at a right angle to a blade with a V-shaped notch, principally used by carpenters to remove nails.

   • Filed Dec. 13, 1952. Cat's Paw. For Hand Tools for Pulling Nails and Spikes. — 1954
5. •
   A minor breeze that ripples the surface of a body of water.

   • Cats-paw, a light air of wind perceived... by the impression made on the surface of the sea, which it sweeps very lightly, and then decays. — 1769
6. •
   A twisting variant of the lark's-foot hitch which forms two small bights used to hook a pair of tackles to a rope.

   • ...when the mate came to shake the catspaw out of the down-haul... — 1840
7. •
   Any of several species of North American freshwater mussels of the genus Epioblasma, especially E. obliquata.
8. •
   Any of several species of Australian bloodworts of the genus Anigozanthos, especially A. humilis.
9. •
   (historical) A metal set of claws worn over the hand or wielded in the hand used to remove skin and flesh.
10. •
    (figurative) Someone or something that comes down quickly upon a victim in the manner of a cat's paw.

    • [T]hese Florentines [...] / In hungry pride and gainful cowardice, / [...] / Quick cat's-paws on the generous stray-away. — 1820