stirk

American  

[sturk] / stɜrk /

noun

British.

1. a young bull or cow, especially one in its second year.

---

stirk British  

/ stɜːk /

noun

1. a heifer of 6 to 12 months old

2. a yearling heifer or bullock

---

Etymology

Origin of stirk

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English stirc “calf,” equivalent to stir- (akin to steer ² ) + suffixal -c ( see -ock)

Example Sentences

Odd! my verra heart lap to my mouth whan I gat the glisk o' something mair like a red stirk than ought else muve off the redd.

From Stories of the Border Marches by Lang, Jeanie

He's maist michty unsettled like," replied Saunders, "he's for a' the world like a stirk wi' a horse cleg on him that he canna get at.

From The Lilac Sunbonnet by Crockett, S. R. (Samuel Rutherford)

It’s a wonder the marriage hasna been turned into a burial, and all because o’ that Highland stirk, Lauchlan Campbell.”

From The Little Minister by Barrie, J. M. (James Matthew)

Then I'd be obleeged if ye wald just stap in as ye'r gaing east the gate, and tell our folk that the stirk has gat fra her tether, an' 'ill brak on the wat clover.

From The Cruise of the Betsey or, A Summer Ramble Among the Fossiliferous Deposits of the Hebrides. With Rambles of a Geologist or, Ten Thousand Miles Over the Fossiliferous Deposits of Scotland by Symonds, W. S. (William Samuel)

He's no a stirk o' the right stock.

From The Proverbs of Scotland by Hislop, Alexander