Proper noun

1. A medieval pet form of Catherine and related names. Also used as a formal female given name.

Quotations

• ~~1594 William Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew: Act II, Scene I:

  Petruchio.Good morrow, Kate; for that's your name, I hear.

  Katharina.Well have you heard, but something hard of hearing:

  They call me Katharine that do talk of me.

  Petruchio.You lie, in faith; for you are call'd plain Kate,

  And bonny Kate, and sometimes Kate the curst;

• 1830 Mary Russell Mitford: Our Village: Fourth Series: Cottage Names:

  A great number of children, amongst the lower classes, are Carolines. - - - A clergyman in my neighbourhood used to mistake the sound, and christen the babies Catharine; - a wise error, for Kate is a noble abbreviation.

• 1944 A.J.Cronin: The Green Years.Little, Brown, and Company, 1944. page 62:

  "And I have such a horrible name. Think of it... Kate. Who would take Kate on a Moonlight Cruise...or out to the Minstrels at the point. If you ever do find me in the company of a strange young man, call me Irene. Promise me."