calf

¹

[ kaf, kahf ]

noun

, plural calves [kavz, kahvz].

1. the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.
2. the young of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.
3. calfskin ( def 2 ).
4. Informal. an awkward, silly boy or man.
5. a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.

calf

²

[ kaf, kahf ]

noun

, plural calves [kavz, kahvz].

1. the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.

calf

¹

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee sural

calf

²

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle vituline
2. the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale
3. a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc
4. kill the fatted calf
   kill the fatted calf to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome
5. See calfskin
   another name for calfskin

Other Words From

• calf·less adjective
• calf·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of calf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English cealf, calf; cognate with Old Saxon kalf, Old Norse kalfr, Old High German kalb, from Germanic kalboz

Origin of calf²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse kalfi

Word History and Origins

Origin of calf¹

C14: from Old Norse kalfi

Origin of calf²

Old English cealf; related to Old Norse kālfr, Gothic kalbō, Old High German kalba

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in calf, (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.
2. kill the fatted calf, to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.

More idioms and phrases containing calf

see kill the fatted calf ; puppy (calf) love .

Example Sentences

Ulises Segura’s season ended in mid-September with a calf ailment.

From Washington Post

Only camel calves around four to eight months old could give the virus to people, he found.

From Science News For Students

Females need a lot in the “bank” because their calves need a lot of energy.

From Popular-Science

They noted that the disease would roll through communities every few years, causing pregnant heifers and cows to lose their calves.

From Washington Post

A somewhat worrying detail, in that respect, is that they tested muscle composition in the two muscles of the calf, the soleus and gastrocnemius, but only found a significant relationship between fiber type and training outcome for the gastrocnemius.

From Outside Online

The dimmed lights and sizeable golden calf on the center of the conference table should tip you off.

From The Daily Beast

Independence may well be the modern day Golden Calf to which far too many of us bow down and worship.

From The Daily Beast

“Good, number 15 – she and her calf are still in the same place,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

At her side was her calf, which turned and squinted at us through baby eyes.

From The Daily Beast

The modest calf-length skirts and dresses could be tailor made for Kate Middleton.

From The Daily Beast

A small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.

From Project Gutenberg

The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

From Project Gutenberg

When he assails a calf, the cow will rush upon him, and one toss from her horns is sufficient to kill him.

From Project Gutenberg

New milker with a calf still beside her—purty as a picture, the pair of 'em, and dirt cheap.

From Project Gutenberg

Looks like good stock, that calf does; 's if 't might make a nice steer, but 'twon't never be a cow to give milk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• shin