cattle

[kat-l]

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. bovine animals, especially domesticated members of the genus Bos.

2. Bible.,  such animals together with other domesticated quadrupeds, as horses, swine, etc.

3. Disparaging.,  human beings, especially in a large, unruly crowd.

cattle

/ ˈkætəl /

noun

1. bovid mammals of the tribe Bovini (bovines), esp those of the genus Bos

2. Also called: domestic cattle. any domesticated bovine mammals, esp those of the species Bos taurus (domestic ox)

Other Word Forms

• cattleless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cattle¹

1175–1225; Middle English catel < Old North French: (personal) property < Medieval Latin capitāle wealth; capital ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cattle¹

C13: from Old Northern French catel, Old French chatel _chattel

Example Sentences

The agencies, he said, gave him the runaround and he couldn’t get anyone to answer his calls — which he said was perplexing, considering the rapid response when he alerted them to infected cattle.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr García has lost around 30 cattle this summer, most recently having to put down 11 animals which had suffered severe burns.

From BBC

“As the New World Screwworm flies northward, they may start to see people at the borders — through the cattle industry — get them, too.”

From Los Angeles Times

The army said one of its units was deployed following reports of a cattle theft by armed men, but the operation turned out to be "an ambush".

From BBC

Born in 1951, the 74-year-old devout Roman Catholic was the son of a cattle herder and the eighth of nine children.

From BBC

Related Words

• herd 
• oxen