cow

¹

[kou]

noun

plural

cows ,

plural

kine .

1. the mature female of a bovine animal, especially of the genus Bos.

2. the female of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.

3. Informal.,  a domestic bovine of either sex and any age.

4. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

   1. a contemptible woman, especially one who is fat, stupid, lazy, etc.

   2. a woman who has a large number of children or is frequently pregnant.

cow

²

[kou]

verb (used with object)

1. to frighten with threats, violence, etc.; intimidate; overawe.

   Synonyms: bully, scare, terrorize

cow

¹

/ kaʊ /

noun

1. the mature female of any species of cattle, esp domesticated cattle

2. the mature female of various other mammals, such as the elephant, whale, and seal

3. (not in technical use) any domestic species of cattle

4. informal,  a disagreeable woman

5. slang,  something objectionable (esp in the phrase a fair cow )

6. informal,  for a very long time; effectively for ever

cow

²

/ kaʊ /

verb

1. (tr) to frighten or overawe, as with threats

Other Word Forms

• cowlike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cow¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English cou, cu, Old English cuu, cū; cognate with German Kuh, Dutch koe, Old Norse kȳr, Sanskrit gáuḥ “ox, cow,” Latin bōs “ox, cow,” Greek boûs “ox, cow”; bovine, gaur

Origin of cow²

First recorded in 1610–20; perhaps from Old Norse kūga “to oppress, cow”; compare Norwegian kue “to cow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cow¹

Old English cū; related to Old Norse kӯr, Old High German kuo, Latin bōs, Greek boūs, Sanskrit gāŭs

Origin of cow²

C17: from Old Norse kūga to oppress, related to Norwegian kue, Swedish kuva

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have a cow, to become very angry or upset; throw a fit.

   My mom will have a cow when she hears I'm moving.

2. till / until the cows come home, for a long time; forever.

   You can keep arguing till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind.

More idioms and phrases containing cow

• cash cow
• holy cow
• sacred cow
• till the cows come home

Example Sentences

Today, nobody is cowed by threats of mass firings.

From Salon

Since the avian flu arrived en force in California’s dairy industry in 2024, not only has it sickened cows, it has killed hundreds of domestic cats.

From Los Angeles Times

He once told a reporter that it took “half a cow” to make shoes for Wilt Chamberlain, who wore a size 15.

From Los Angeles Times

And in the Philippines, an independent commission has been set up to investigate the possible misuse of flood prevention funds, with President Marcos promising there would be "no sacred cows" in the hunt.

From BBC

Instead, she has argued that women should “form a relationship with a local farmer, understand his integrity, look him in the eyes, pet his cow, and then decide” if the milk is safe.

From Salon

Related Words

• bludgeon 
• bully 
• daunt 
• dishearten 
• embarrass 
• faze 
• frighten 
• rattle 
• strong-arm 
• subdue 
• terrorize 
• unnerve