calf

¹

[ kaf, kahf ]

noun

, plural calves [kavz, kahvz].

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 ( def 2 ).
4. Informal. an awkward, silly boy or man.
5. a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.

calf

²

[ kaf, kahf ]

noun

, plural calves [kavz, kahvz].

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

calf

¹

/ kɑːf /

noun

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

calf

²

/ kɑːf /

noun

1. the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle vituline
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. kill the fatted calf
   to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome
5. another name for calfskin

Other Words From

• calf·less adjective
• calf·like adjective

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of calf¹

C14: from Old Norse kalfi

Origin of calf²

Old English cealf; related to Old Norse kālfr, Gothic kalbō, Old High German kalba

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in calf, (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.
2. kill the fatted calf, to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.

More idioms and phrases containing calf

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

Example Sentences

He says the costs to put the cameras in is "worth it" if it means saving a calf's life.

From BBC

The system also means the chance of a calf dying is less likely, as Mr Cursiter is able to monitor the situation closely.

From BBC

The England left-back, who hasn't played for the club since February, sustained a calf injury in early August.

From BBC

Buttler joined England's training session in Barbados on Monday as he targets a return from a calf injury in the T20 series against West Indies, which starts on Saturday.

From BBC

The tiny endangered pygmy hippo calf, named Haggis, arrived on 30 October and zookeepers said her personality was "beginning to shine" already.

From BBC

Related Words

• shin