calf

¹ American  

[kaf, kahf] / kæf, kɑf /

noun

plural

calves

1. the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.

2. the young of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.

3. calfskin.

4. Informal. an awkward, silly boy or man.

5. a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.

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idioms

1. kill the fatted calf, to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.

2. in calf, (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.

calf ² American  

[kaf, kahf] / kæf, kɑf /

noun

plural

calves

1. the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.

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calf ¹ British  

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle

2. the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale

3. a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc

4. to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome

5. another name for calfskin

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calf ² British  

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee

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calf More Idioms  

1. see kill the fatted calf; puppy (calf) love.

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Other Word Forms

• calfless adjective
• calflike adjective

Etymology

Origin of calf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English cealf, calf; cognate with Old Saxon kalf, Old Norse kalfr, Old High German kalb, from Germanic kalboz

Origin of calf²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse kalfi

Example Sentences

Southern California’s Gray Whale Census & Behavior Project reported record-low calf counts last year.

From Los Angeles Times

The most optimistic tag he can adopt is ‘cautious calf,’ he says.

From MarketWatch

Austin Reaves remains out at least three more weeks because of a calf strain.

From Los Angeles Times

"Craig had just turned 54 years old. He led a long life and no doubt fathered many calves," said the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in its farewell message.

From BBC

The Lakers got Hayes back, but Hachimura will be out for at least one week after he missed Tuesday’s game with left calf soreness.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• shin