aurochs

[ awr-oks ]

noun

, plural au·rochs.

1. a large, black European wild ox, Bos primigenius: extinct since 1627.
2. (not used scientifically) the European bison.

aurochs

/ ˈɔːrɒks /

noun

1. a recently extinct member of the cattle tribe, Bos primigenius, that inhabited forests in N Africa, Europe, and SW Asia. It had long horns and is thought to be one of the ancestors of modern cattle Also calledurus

Word History and Origins

Origin of aurochs¹

1760–70; < German, variant (now obsolete) of Auerochs, Middle High German ūrochse, Old High German ūrohso, equivalent to ūr (cognate with Old English ūr bison) + ohso ox

Word History and Origins

Origin of aurochs¹

C18: from German, from Old High German ūrohso, from ūro bison + ohso ox

Example Sentences

A terrible storm melts the polar ice caps, unleashing a group of prehistoric creatures called Aurochs.

From The Daily Beast

The urus, or aurochs, is the same animal as the common bull, in his wild and natural state.

From Project Gutenberg

All the domestic oxen without hunches have proceeded originally from the aurochs, and those with the hunch from the bison.

From Project Gutenberg

The urus or aurochs, is the same animal as our common bull, in his wild and natural state.

From Project Gutenberg

But our domestic cattle are derived from some form of aurochs—probably from some lesser Central Asiatic variety.

From Project Gutenberg

What this creature was is not clear; possibly it was the aurochs or buffalo—Bordes vengeable beast, the Bovy of Bohemia.

From Project Gutenberg