Whats the Definition for purr

Question

can anyone tell me whats the definition of purr?like what does it exactly mean when a cat or kitten purrs?what do they exactly do?

Answer 1

affectionate

Answer 2

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purr

Answer 3

i think it is when they make a constant noise inside of their body that sounds like a machine.

Answer 4

"A low vibratory murmur typically emitted by cats as a sign of a contentment or pleasure."

"indicate pleasure by purring; characteristic of cats "

"a low vibrating sound typical of a contented cat"

"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. ..."

Answer 5

Cats (big and small) are the only animals who purr. Contrary to popular belief, purring isn't speaking. Some people believe the sound comes from two membrane folds, called false vocal cords, that are situated in the larynx behind the actual vocal cords. Cats purr 26 cycles per second, the same as an idling diesel engine. Cats purr both when inhaling and exhaling, keeping the mouth completely closed, and only stopping to swallow. Kittens are born blind and deaf, but the vibrations of their mother's purring is a physical signal that the kittens can feel. It acts as a homing device, signaling them to nurse. Kittens begin purring at about one week old; then it's a signal to the mother cat that they're getting their milk and are content. Since purring is non-vocal, it doesn't interfere with the suckling. Contrary to another popular belief, cats don't purr purely for pleasure. Be alert: a deep purr can indicate that a cat is in pain or distress. Female cats will purr when in labor. Cats may purr in fear or anxiety. They will also purr in anticipation of being fed or stroked. Big African cats only purr in short bursts, but the house cat can purr for hours.