purr (verb)

a low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat

whizz, whiz, whirr, whir, birr, purr (verb)

make a soft swishing sound

"the motor whirred"; "the car engine purred"

purr, make vibrant sounds (verb)

indicate pleasure by purring; characteristic of cats

purr (Noun)

The vibrating sound made by a cat in its throat when contented.

purr (Verb)

Of a cat, to make a vibrating sound in its throat when contented.

Purr

A purr is a sound made by all species of felids and is a part of cat communication. It varies between cats, and from species to species, but can be characterized as a tonal buzzing. The term "purring" has been used liberally in literature, and it has been claimed that viverrids, bears, badgers, hyaenas purr. Other animals that have been said to purr are rabbits, squirrels, guinea pigs, tapirs, ring-tailed lemurs, elephants, raccoons and gorillas while eating. However, using a strict definition of purring that continuous sound production must alternate between pulmonic egressive and ingressive airstream, Peters, in an exhaustive review of the scientific literature, reached the conclusion that until then only ‘purring cats’ and two species of genets, Genetta tigrina, and most likely also Genetta genetta, had been documented to purr.

Purr

A purr is a tonal fluttering sound made by some species of felids and two species of genets. It varies in loudness and tone among species and in the same animal. Felids are a family of mammals that belong to the order Carnivora and are informally known as cats. This designation includes larger, outdoor cats and the domestic cat (Felis catus). Genets are members of the genus Genetta and are slim animals with features similar to cats. Their features include retractile claws, leopard-like spotted fur and the raccoon-like mask and ringed tail. Although true purring is exclusive to felids and viverrids, other animals such as raccoons produce vocalizations that sound similar to true purring. Animals that produce purr-like sounds include mongooses, bears, kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, badgers, foxes, hyenas, rabbits, squirrels, guinea pigs, tapirs, ring-tailed lemurs and gorillas while eating. Animals purr for a variety of reasons, including to express happiness or fear, and as a defense mechanism. It has also been shown that cats purr to manage pain and soothe themselves. Purring is a soft buzzing sound, similar to a rolled 'r' with a fundamental frequency of around 25 Hz. This sound occurs with noticeable vibrations on the surface of the body, varies in a rhythmic pattern during breathing and occurs continuously during inhalation and exhalation. The intensity and length of the purr can also vary depending on the level of arousal of the animal.