aurochs

American  

[awr-oks] / ˈɔr ɒks /

noun

plural

aurochs

1. a large, black European wild ox, Bos primigenius: extinct since 1627.

2. (not used scientifically) the European bison.

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aurochs British  

/ ˈɔːrɒks /

noun

1. Also called: urus.  a recently extinct member of the cattle tribe, Bos primigenius, that inhabited forests in N Africa, Europe, and SW Asia. It had long horns and is thought to be one of the ancestors of modern cattle

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Etymology

Origin of aurochs

1760–70; < German, variant (now obsolete) of Auerochs, Middle High German ūrochse, Old High German ūrohso, equivalent to ūr (cognate with Old English ūr bison) + ohso ox

Example Sentences

Herds of elephants, bison, and aurochs roamed freely.

From Science Daily • Feb. 12, 2026

Sinding, who has extracted ancient DNA from Pleistocene wolves, woolly rhinoceroses and aurochs, was surprised and excited to hear that Colossal Biosciences planned to re-create the dodo.

From Scientific American • Jan. 31, 2023

The techniques that permitted the transformation of aurochs and wild sheep into beef and lamb have a hint of wholesomeness about them.

From Slate • Dec. 24, 2022

Banning offers another take on the bull scene: Rather than cowering with a rattle, the person may be crouching with a lasso, about to capture an aurochs, the extinct ancestor of domesticated cattle.

From Science Magazine • Dec. 7, 2022

Like something I could cup my hand over—if I got myself close to an aurochs.

From "The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle" by Leslie Connor