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

I mean, I don’t know if he has the calves for it, but I’m sure he can get the voice down.

From Los Angeles Times

"Ella picked up an injury in training the day before the Leicester game. She took a calf injury in a small, bottled session," said United manager Marc Skinner.

From BBC

After firefighters drained the pool and used a harness to lift her out, the cow was checked over by a vet to make sure she and her calf were healthy before she was returned home.

From BBC

They say calves have been born without heads or without limbs.

From BBC

He is now able to watch calves being born from the comfort of his bedroom, allowing him to catch up on sleep.

From BBC

Related Words

• shin