mooncalf

American  

[moon-kaf, -kahf] / ˈmunˌkæf, -ˌkɑf /

noun

plural

mooncalves

1. a congenitally grossly deformed and mentally defective person.

2. a foolish person.

3. a person who spends time idly daydreaming.

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mooncalf British  

/ ˈmuːnˌkɑːf /

noun

1. a born fool; dolt

2. a person who idles time away

3. obsolete a freak or monster

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Etymology

Origin of mooncalf

First recorded in 1555–65; moon + calf ¹

Example Sentences

In this confidentially candid autobiography, Mooncalf Dell looks back on his generation's brief blooming, feels that it is good to be settled down.

From Time Magazine Archive

Then there are those beasts that, due to cleverness or innate shyness, avoid contact with Muggles at all costs—for instance, the unicorn, the Mooncalf and the centaur.

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

I called him Mooncalf, and he called me Goblin.

From God's Good Man by Corelli, Marie

The Mooncalf Pastures So we two poor terrestrial castaways, lost in that wild-growing moon jungle, crawled in terror before the sounds that had come upon us.

From The First Men in the Moon by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

"What does your garrison consist of?—one holy padre, one half an old sailor, Monsieur Mooncalf, and Little Chap."

From The Gentleman A Romance of the Sea by Ollivant, Alfred