sheep

[sheep]

noun

plural

sheep 

1. any of numerous ruminant mammals of the genus Ovis, of the family Bovidae, closely related to the goats, especially O. aries, bred in a number of domesticated varieties.

2. leather made from the skin of these animals.

3. a meek, unimaginative, or easily led person.

sheep

¹

/ ʃiːp /

noun

1. any of various bovid mammals of the genus Ovis and related genera, esp O. aries ( domestic sheep ), having transversely ribbed horns and a narrow face. There are many breeds of domestic sheep, raised for their wool and for meat

2. another name for aoudad

3. a meek or timid person, esp one without initiative

4. to pick out the members of any group who are superior in some respects

SHEEP

²

abbreviation

1. Sky High Earnings Expectations Possibly: applied to investments that appear to offer high returns but may be unreliable

Other Word Forms

• sheeplike adjective
• sheepless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheep¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English (north) scēp; cognate with Dutch schaap, German Schaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of sheep¹

Old English sceap; related to Old Frisian skēp, Old Saxon scāp, Old High German scāf

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. separate the sheep from the goats, to separate good people from bad or those intended for a specific end from unqualified people.

see black sheep; hanged for a sheep; separate the sheep from the goats; wolf in sheep's clothing.

Example Sentences

The Uist-based vets previously organised a petition calling for the sheep to be looked after in a more managed way.

From BBC

As the hour starts, the thing is still possessing a sheep.

From Salon

Cameron enters Isaiah’s home to discover his host surrounded by what looks like taxidermy sheep skins.

From Los Angeles Times

"These men aren't not men of the people. They are pretending. They're pretending to be the good guys. Wolves in sheep's clothing."

From BBC

As you may recall from school, hunter-gatherers followed the food; agriculture turned nomads into settlers, who turned wolves into dogs and sheep into wool.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• darkness 
• fog 
• gloom 
• mist 
• puff 
• smog 
• smoke 
• steam 
• vapor 
• veil