cattle

[kat-l]

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. bovine animals, especially domesticated members of the genus Bos.

2. Bible.,  such animals together with other domesticated quadrupeds, as horses, swine, etc.

3. Disparaging.,  human beings, especially in a large, unruly crowd.

cattle

/ ˈkætəl /

noun

1. bovid mammals of the tribe Bovini (bovines), esp those of the genus Bos

2. Also called: domestic cattle. any domesticated bovine mammals, esp those of the species Bos taurus (domestic ox)

Other Word Forms

• cattleless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cattle¹

1175–1225; Middle English catel < Old North French: (personal) property < Medieval Latin capitāle wealth; capital ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cattle¹

C13: from Old Northern French catel, Old French chatel _chattel

Example Sentences

On their recent expedition at a cattle farm overlooking a picturesque bay, Scmack detected a possum living in a hollow tree on a hillside.

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Ranchers say the animals are gobbling down plants needed to sustain their cattle.

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A large portion of the water is used for agriculture, with much of it going to grow hay for cattle, as well as other crops including cotton, lettuce and broccoli.

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Insulin from cattle and pigs had been used to treat diabetes, but caused allergic reactions in some patients.

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The agencies, he said, gave him the runaround and he couldn’t get anyone to answer his calls — which he said was perplexing, considering the rapid response when he alerted them to infected cattle.

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Related Words

• herd 
• oxen