cattle
[kat-l]
- bovine animals, especially domesticated members of the genus Bos.
- Bible. such animals together with other domesticated quadrupeds, as horses, swine, etc.
- Disparaging. human beings, especially in a large, unruly crowd.
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Origin of cattle
1175–1225; Middle English catel < Old North French: (personal) property < Medieval Latin capitāle wealth; see capital1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cattle
Contemporary Examples
While not the most stimulating for those less passionate about cattle, Grandin made it interesting.
The guys are known as “Forbeses” (as in Forbes rich list); the girls as “tiolki,” cattle.
There were some $7 million in rabbit meat sales in 2000, according to the USDA, compared to $41 billion for cattle.
In this one, he demonstrates the use of music as a conflict-free method of cattle rustling.
The homestretch of the track had been blocked off with cattle fencing—the kind they use at rodeos that makes for easy climbing.
Historical Examples
He was moving leisurely, keeping his horse at the cattle pony's lope.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
No part of my business is pleasanter than the watering of cattle.
A Rill from the Town Pump (From "Twice Told Tales")Nathaniel Hawthorne
Our greatest difficulty in these marshes was the watering of the cattle.
Prayers were read to the men, and the cattle and party rested.
The extent of land is reckoned not by acreage, but by the heads of cattle it will keep.
The Roof of FranceMatilda Betham-Edwards
cattle
- bovid mammals of the tribe Bovini (bovines), esp those of the genus Bos
- Also called: domestic cattle any domesticated bovine mammals, esp those of the species Bos taurus (domestic ox)
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Word Origin
C13: from Old Northern French catel, Old French chatel chattel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for cattle
n.
mid-13c., "property," from Anglo-French catel "property" (Old North French catel, Old French chatel), from Medieval Latin capitale "property, stock," noun use of neuter of Latin adjective capitalis "principal, chief" (see capital (n.1)). Cf. sense development of fee, pecuniary. Sense originally was of movable property, especially livestock; it began to be limited to "cows and bulls" from late 16c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper