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calve

 - 3 dictionary results

calve

  [kav, kahv] verb, calved, calv⋅ing.
Use calve in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to give birth to a calf: The cow is expected to calve tomorrow.
2. (of a glacier, an iceberg, etc.) to break up or splinter so as to produce a detached piece.
–verb (used with object)
3. to give birth to (a calf).
4. (of a glacier, an iceberg, etc.) to break off or detach (a piece): The glacier calved an iceberg.
Origin:
bef. 1000; ME calven, OE (Anglian) *calfian, deriv. of calf calf 1 ; c. OE (West Saxon) cealfian
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To calve
calve   (kāv, käv)   
v.   calved, calv·ing, calves

v.   intr.

  1. To give birth to a calf.

  2. To break at an edge, so that a portion separates. Used of a glacier or iceberg.

v.   tr.

  1. To give birth to (a calf).

  2. To set loose (a mass of ice). Used of a glacier or iceberg.


[Middle English calven, from Old English *calfian, from calf, calf.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

calve 
O.E. cealfian, from cealf "calf" (see calf). Of icebergs, 1837.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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