also: ねこびたい
cat's forehead; tiny area
Used figuratively to describe a very small space, especially a small plot of land or garden. Often appears in the set phrase 猫の額ほどの庭 (a garden as small as a cat's forehead). The reading びょうがく is the standard Sino-Japanese reading; ねこびたい is a less common kun-based reading.
See also: 猫の額
In front of the house there is a tiny garden, no bigger than a cat's forehead.
In the city, even a plot of land as small as a cat's forehead is expensive.
tiny; very small
tiny plot of land; narrow strip of land
Standard kanji form for the reading びょうがく.
Alternate reading ねこびたい, less common and may be considered non-standard or playful.
Compound of 猫 (cat) and 額 (forehead), literally 'cat's forehead'. The figurative meaning comes from the small size of a cat's forehead, used to describe a tiny area. The reading びょうがく is the on'yomi, while ねこびたい is a mixed kun-on reading.