calf
1[ kaf, kahf ]
/ kæf, kɑf /
noun, plural calves [kavz, kahvz] /kævz, kɑvz/.
the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.
the young of certain other mammals, as the elephant, seal, and whale.
calfskin leather.
Informal. an awkward, silly boy or man.
a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.
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Nearby words
Idioms
in calf, (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.
kill the fatted calf, to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.
Origin of calf
1before 900; Middle English; Old English cealf, calf; cognate with Old Saxon kalf, Old Norse kalfr, Old High German kalb
Related formscalf·less, adjectivecalf·like, adjective
Definition for calf (2 of 2)
calf
2[ kaf, kahf ]
/ kæf, kɑf /
noun, plural calves [kavz, kahvz] /kævz, kɑvz/.
the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.
Origin of calf
2Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for calf
British Dictionary definitions for calf (1 of 2)
calf
1/ (kɑːf) /
noun plural calves
the young of cattle, esp domestic cattleRelated adjective: vituline
the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale
a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc
kill the fatted calf to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome
another name for calfskin
Word Origin for calf
Old English cealf; related to Old Norse kālfr, Gothic kalbō, Old High German kalba
British Dictionary definitions for calf (2 of 2)
calf
2/ (kɑːf) /
noun plural calves
the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the kneeRelated adjective: sural
Word Origin for calf
C14: from Old Norse kalfi
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medicine definitions for calf
calf
[ kăf ]
n. pl. calves (kăvz)
The fleshy, muscular back part of the human leg between the knee and ankle, formed chiefly by the bellies of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with calf
calf
see kill the fatted calf; puppy (calf) love.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.