ox

¹

[ oks ]

noun

, plural ox·en [ok, -s, uh, n] ox·es

1. the adult castrated male of the genus Bos, used chiefly as a draft animal.
2. any member of the bovine family.
3. Informal. a clumsy, stupid fellow.

ox-

²

Chemistry.

1. a combining form meaning “containing oxygen”:

   oxazine.

Ox.

³

abbreviation for

1. Oxford.

ox

/ ɒks /

noun

1. an adult castrated male of any domesticated species of cattle, esp Bos taurus, used for draught work and meat
2. any bovine mammal, esp any of the domestic cattle

Other Words From

• oxlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ox¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English oxe, Old English oxa; cognate with Old Frisian oxa, Old Saxon, Old High German ohso, Old Norse uxi, oxi; akin to Welsh ych

Origin of ox²

Short for oxygen

Origin of ox³

From the Medieval Latin word Oxonia

Word History and Origins

Origin of ox¹

Old English oxa; related to Old Saxon, Old High German ohso, Old Norse oxi

Example Sentences

There's no Nicely-Nicely Johnson hanging out in Times Square these days, no Harry the Horse, no Angie the Ox.

From The Daily Beast

The doctors said it was as strong as an ox, considering he was so sedentary.

From The Daily Beast

But generally speaking, unless their personal ox is being gored, few young women seem willing to make waves.

From The Daily Beast

Whoever's ox Obama chooses to gore will probably be a considerably less enthusiastic coalition member come 2016.

From The Daily Beast

They want candidates willing to do whatever it takes—no matter whose ideological ox is gored—to make the economic pain stop.

From The Daily Beast

The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel hath not known me, and my people hath not understood.

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

Blessed are ye that sow upon all waters, sending thither the foot of the ox and the ass.

From Project Gutenberg

"Sing," said the Bull, as the stiff, muddy ox-bow creaked and strained.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the custom to sacrifice an ox to him, and to write any treaty made with a neighboring people upon the skin.

From Project Gutenberg