cud

[ kuhd ]

noun

the portion of food that a ruminant returns from the first stomach to the mouth to chew a second time.
Dialect. quid¹.

Idioms about cud

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

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 quid¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cud in a sentence

They were more than likely to stand and chew their cuds and look out upon the world with vacant stares and say nothing.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels | Arthur Scott Bailey
While he told them what the bays had said to him they chewed their cuds and listened with a dreamy look in their great, mild eyes.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels | Arthur Scott Bailey
The rest of the herd were contentedly chewing their cuds in the moonlight, grunting and blowing over contented stomachs.
The Pony Rider Boys in Texas | Frank Gee Patchin
And while the cows were being milked, they ate the meal and chewed their cuds.
The Sandman: His Farm Stories | William J. Hopkins
Who can give any cuds to a fellow, who starts with a heap of money round his neck?
The Remarkable History of Sir Thomas Upmore, bart., M.P., formerly known as "Tommy Upmore" | R. D. Blackmore

British Dictionary definitions for cud

cud

/ (kʌd) /

noun

partially digested food regurgitated from the first stomach of cattle and other ruminants to the mouth for a second chewing
chew the cud to reflect or think over something

Origin of cud

Old English cudu, from cwidu what has been chewed; related to Old Norse kvātha resin (for chewing), Old High German quiti glue, Sanskrit jatu rubber

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for cud

cud

[ kŭd ]

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.

Browse