calf

¹ American  

[kaf, kahf] / kæf, kɑf /

noun

PLURAL

calves

1. the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.

2. the young of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.

3. calfskin.

4. Informal.  an awkward, silly boy or man.

5. a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.

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idioms

1. kill the fatted calf,  to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.

2. in calf,  (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.

calf ² American  

[kaf, kahf] / kæf, kɑf /

noun

PLURAL

calves

1. the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.

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calf ¹ British  

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle

2. the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale

3. a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc

4. to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome

5. another name for calfskin

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calf ² British  

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee

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calf More Idioms  

1. see kill the fatted calf; puppy (calf) love.

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Other Word Forms

• calfless adjective
• calflike adjective

Etymology

Origin of calf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English cealf, calf; cognate with Old Saxon kalf, Old Norse kalfr, Old High German kalb, from Germanic kalboz

Origin of calf²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Old Norse kalfi

Example Sentences

"I am thinking of setting up a new unit with my son for fattening calves," he says.

From BBC

Friday’s game was a well-timed return for Davis, who played in his first game after missing a month with a calf strain.

From Los Angeles Times

Davis, who returned after missing 14 games because of a left calf strain, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out five assists in his first game in Los Angeles since the trade.

From Los Angeles Times

I believe it made contact with my right calf and my work radio.

From BBC

At most, traditional dairy farms calves are separated from their mothers within 24 hours of their birth.

From BBC

Related Words

• shin