Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for cattle on Thesaurus.com noun (used with a plural verb ) 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. Show More
Origin of cattle 1175–1225; Middle English catel <
Old North French: (personal) property <
Medieval Latin capitāle wealth; see
capital1 Related forms cat·tle·less , adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for cattle Contemporary Examples of cattle 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 of cattle He was moving leisurely, keeping his horse at the cattle pony's lope.
No part of my business is pleasanter than the watering of cattle .
Prayers were read to the men, and the cattle and party rested.
Our greatest difficulty in these marshes was the watering of the cattle .
The extent of land is reckoned not by acreage, but by the heads of cattle it will keep.
British Dictionary definitions for cattle noun (functioning as plural) 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) Show More
Related forms Related adjective: bovine Word Origin for cattle C13: from Old Northern French catel, Old French chatel chattel
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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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
