zebu
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of zebu
First recorded in 1765–75, zebu is from the French word zébu, of obscure origin
Explanation
In India, a common species of farmed animal is the zebu, an ox-like bovine that's also known as "humped cattle." If you see a zebu, you'll know it by the large hump on its back and flap of skin, or dewlap, hanging from its neck. They're useful domestic cattle, commonly raised for milk on the Indian subcontinent, as well as for meat and as draft animals, pulling plows or carts on farms. The word zebu comes from the French, with a Tibetan root.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Considering their innate ability to withstand high heat and survive challenging circumstances like drought, the zebu hybrids were briefly seen as possible poster cows for planet-friendly meat production.
From National Geographic ● Jan. 24, 2024
The men shepherded some zebu, goats and sheep down the street to an empty piece of land with breath-taking views of the ocean.
From BBC ● Jul. 8, 2022
The image is arresting: a man sits astride a motorcycle, the handlebars adorned with the giant skull of a zebu, its horns forming a wide skeletal embrace.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 17, 2018
Dine alfresco at their restaurant on specialties that include zebu carpaccio or stew.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 14, 2018
The ordinary cattle of Hainan are apparently a cross between the little yellow cow of south China and the zebu of India.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
