cud

[ kuhd ]

noun

1. the portion of food that a ruminant returns from the first stomach to the mouth to chew a second time.
2. Dialect. quid ¹.

cud

/ kʌd /

noun

1. partially digested food regurgitated from the first stomach of cattle and other ruminants to the mouth for a second chewing
2. chew the cud
   to reflect or think over something

cud

/ kŭd /

1. Food that has been partly digested and brought up from the first stomach to the mouth again for further chewing by ruminants, such as cattle and sheep.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cud¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English cudu, variant of cwiodu, cwidu; akin to Old High German quiti glue, Sanskrit jatu resin, gum. See quid ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of cud¹

Old English cudu, from cwidu what has been chewed; related to Old Norse kvātha resin (for chewing), Old High German quiti glue, Sanskrit jatu rubber

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. chew one's / the cud, Informal. to meditate or ponder; ruminate.

Example Sentences

As with most ruminants, cattle make the most of a paltry diet, converting cud, grains, and crop waste into muscle and milk.

From Scientific American

As with most ruminants, cattle make the most of a paltry diet, converting cud, grains and crop waste into muscle and milk.

From Salon

He can chew on his voice like a cow chews its cud.

From New York Times

In turn, Swinton found the task a chance to, as she put it, “chew one’s own cud.”

From Los Angeles Times

They also spent more time lounging around the barn as they chewed their cud and ruminated the universe.

From New York Times