cattle

American  

[kat-l] / ˈkæt 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.

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cattle British  

/ 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)

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Other Word Forms

• cattleless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of cattle

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

Explanation

Use the word cattle to talk about a group of cows. A farmer might build a new fence to keep her cattle more safely secured in their pasture. Cattle usually refers to domesticated cows, almost always a large group of them. If you have a small dairy farm with only three or four cows, you'll probably call them "cows." When you're talking about a bigger operation, they're more likely to be called cattle. In the 13th century, the word simply meant "property," from the Medieval Latin capitale, "property or stock." It took about 300 years before cattle meant "cows."

Example Sentences

See the articles on the various sorts of crops; also CATTLE, HORSE, PIG, SHEEP, &c.;

From The Project Gutenberg Encyclopedia Volume 1 of 28 by Project Gutenberg

CATTLE, European, their probable origin from three original species. -humped, or zebus. -intercrossing of. -wild, of Chillingham, Hamilton, Chartley, Burton Constable, and Gisburne. -colour of feral.

From The Variation of Animals and Plants under Domestication — Volume 2 by Darwin, Charles

Related Words

• herd
• oxen