cud

American  

[kuhd] / kʌd /

noun

1. the portion of food that a ruminant returns from the first stomach to the mouth to chew a second time.

2. Dialect. quid.

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idioms

1. chew one's / the cud, to meditate or ponder; ruminate.

cud British  

/ kʌd /

noun

1. partially digested food regurgitated from the first stomach of cattle and other ruminants to the mouth for a second chewing

2. to reflect or think over something

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cud Scientific  

/ kŭd /

1. Food that has been partly digested and brought up from the first stomach to the mouth again for further chewing by ruminants, such as cattle and sheep.

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Etymology

Origin of cud

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cudu, variant of cwiodu, cwidu; akin to Old High German quiti glue, Sanskrit jatu resin, gum. See quid ¹

Example Sentences

No matter how the children called to it and waved, the faraway sheep only blinked and chewed its cud.

From Literature

The cows swished their tails and chewed their cud and followed the truck with their eyes.

From Literature

As with most ruminants, cattle make the most of a paltry diet, converting cud, grains, and crop waste into muscle and milk.

From Scientific American

As with most ruminants, cattle make the most of a paltry diet, converting cud, grains and crop waste into muscle and milk.

From Salon

He can chew on his voice like a cow chews its cud.

From New York Times