calf

¹

[kaf, kahf]

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.

calf

²

[kaf, kahf]

noun

plural

calves 

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

calf

¹

/ 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

calf

²

/ kɑːf /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• calfless adjective
• calflike adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of calf¹

Old English cealf; related to Old Norse kālfr, Gothic kalbō, Old High German kalba

Origin of calf²

C14: from Old Norse kalfi

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

"I am thinking of setting up a new unit with my son for fattening calves," he says.

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Friday’s game was a well-timed return for Davis, who played in his first game after missing a month with a calf strain.

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Davis, who returned after missing 14 games because of a left calf strain, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in his first game in Los Angeles since the trade.

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I believe it made contact with my right calf and my work radio.

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At most, traditional dairy farms calves are separated from their mothers within 24 hours of their birth.

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Related Words

• shin