I want a word to describe Macavity, the Mystery Cat to denote that you could never assume anything about him. If you did, he was sure to prove you wrong. Can you help me by suggesting an appropriate word? Thanks in advance...
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Don't you think 'Macavity' is the exact word? If you said of someone "she is a bit of a Macavity, you know", I bet they would know exactly what you mean!– TuffyCommented Sep 17, 2020 at 16:37
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Thanks for that... I do agree with what you say. However, I'm looking for character traits to describe Macavity! So, I need a precise word to mean that you couldn't assume things about Macavity!– Jayanthi RaoCommented Sep 17, 2020 at 17:23
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Jeeves was inestimable, but Macavity is more unpredictable.– Edwin AshworthCommented Sep 17, 2020 at 17:56
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@EdwinAshworth except by not being there.– TuffyCommented Sep 17, 2020 at 22:47
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It's difficult to explain the fact that M was suspected of cheating at cards if he wasn't actually present at the game.– Edwin AshworthCommented Sep 18, 2020 at 11:28
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2 Answers
How about unfathomable? From M-W:
unfathomable: not capable of being fathomed; impossible to comprehend
If you can never assume anything about Macavity, Macavity is unfathomable. Hence, the Mystery Cat.
answered Sep 18, 2020 at 22:04
It's a pleasing challenge because the very notion of a character trait suggests you are trying to qualify or define them in a certain way.
I would say "enigma": in its everyday sense, this suggests a puzzling entity which seems unsolvable, impossible to be understood, prone to always surprise you.
PS In a theological context, an enigma is solvable, compared to the unsolvable "mystery/mysterium"
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Welcome to the site. Please take the tour and read about how to improve answers.– DavoCommented Sep 17, 2020 at 19:00
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