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calf
1[ kaf, kahf ]
noun
- the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.
- the young of certain other mammals, as elephants, seals, and whales.
- Informal. an awkward, silly boy or man.
- a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.
calf
2[ kaf, kahf ]
noun
- the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.
calf
1/ kɑːf /
noun
- the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee sural
calf
2/ kɑːf /
noun
- the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle vituline
- the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale
- a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc
- kill the fatted calfkill the fatted calf to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome
- See calfskinanother name for calfskin
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Other Words From
- calf·less adjective
- calf·like adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of calf1
Origin of calf2
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Word History and Origins
Origin of calf1
Origin of calf2
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Idioms and Phrases
- in calf, (of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.
- 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 .Discover More
Example Sentences
The dimmed lights and sizeable golden calf on the center of the conference table should tip you off.
Independence may well be the modern day Golden Calf to which far too many of us bow down and worship.
“Good, number 15 – she and her calf are still in the same place,” he said.
At her side was her calf, which turned and squinted at us through baby eyes.
The modest calf-length skirts and dresses could be tailor made for Kate Middleton.
A small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.
The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
When he assails a calf, the cow will rush upon him, and one toss from her horns is sufficient to kill him.
New milker with a calf still beside her—purty as a picture, the pair of 'em, and dirt cheap.
Looks like good stock, that calf does; 's if 't might make a nice steer, but 'twon't never be a cow to give milk.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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