heifer

American  

[hef-er] / ˈhɛf ər /

noun

1. a young cow over one year old that has not produced a calf.

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heifer British  

/ ˈhɛfə /

noun

1. a young cow

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Etymology

Origin of heifer

First recorded before 900; Middle English hayfre, heighfer, Old English hēa(h)f(o)re; of uncertain origin; perhaps equivalent to hēah “high” + -fore (perhaps akin to Greek póris “heifer”); see also high ( def. )

Explanation

A heifer is a young cow. If you work on a farm, you might be tempted to adopt the smallest heifer as your pet, based on cuteness alone. Heifers are female cows who have not yet given birth to a calf. Farmers can raise heifers for dairy or for meat. In the 1830s, heifer, which is pronounced "HEFF-er," was first used as slang for "woman" or "girl." Since then, it took on the meaning of a female who is obese. It is very rude to single people out because of the way they look and so heifer should never be used.

Example Sentences

She even held a fundraising drive to buy two goats through Heifer International, a nonprofit that supports farming efforts in 21 countries.

From Washington Post • Feb. 23, 2022

Find ways to demonstrate their impact: $20 might buy a flock of chickens for a family through Heifer International , for example, or feed a shelter pet for a few weeks.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2022

Fiola added that the region’s soil and climate has spawned the growth of Boordy, Catoctin Breeze Vineyard, Big Cork Vineyard and Red Heifer Winery in Washington County, among others.

From Washington Times • Dec. 17, 2016

U.S. nonprofit Heifer International, which works with farming families in Haiti’s south, said the storm-struck areas of the country were scenes not only of human tragedy but also economic disaster.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 6, 2016

The Peasant in Search of his Heifer is added apparently as an after-thought, to fill up the sheet.

From Aspects and Impressions by Gosse, Edmund