wildcat definition

1. an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
2. any small or medium-sized cat resembling the domestic cat and living in the wild
3. outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical business practices
• examples: wildcat currency issued by irresponsible banks
• examples: wildcat stock speculation
• examples: a wildcat airline
• examples: wildcat life insurance schemes
4. (of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive
• examples: drilling there would be strictly a wildcat operation
• examples: a wildcat mine
• examples: wildcat drilling
• examples: wildcat wells