Calf Meaning

/kɑːf/
B1

Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

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nounA young cow or bull of any bovid, such as domestic cattle or buffalo.

nounLeather made of the skin of domestic calves; especially, a fine, light-coloured leather used in bookbinding.

The cow cast her calf.
The cow gave birth to a calf with two heads.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The newborn ____ wobbled on its legs beside the grazing cow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The mother cow was very protective of her young ____ on the farm.

From Middle English calf, from Anglian Old English cælf, calf (West Saxon ċealf), from Proto-West Germanic *kalb, from Proto-Germanic *kalbaz, further etymology unknown. Cognates * Scots caff (“calf”) * Scots calf (“calf”) * Scots cauf (“calf”) * Scots cawf (“calf”) * North Frisian Kualev (“calf”) * North Frisian kualew (“calf”) * North Frisian kuulew (“calf”) * Saterland Frisian Koolich (“calf”) * West Frisian keal (“calf”) * German Kalb (“calf”) * Luxembourgish Kallef (“calf”) * Limburgish kalf (“calf”) * Dutch kalf (“calf”) * Vilamovian kołb (“calf”) * Vilamovian kołp (“calf”) * Faroese kálvur (“calf”) * Icelandic kálfur (“calf”) * Danish kalv (“calf”) * Norwegian Bokmål kalv (“calf”) * Norwegian Nynorsk kalv (“calf”) * Swedish kalv (“calf”)

"1915 (published), 1848 (first written), Elisha Kent Kane, Adrift in the Arctic Ice Pack Our swell ceases with this wind, and the floes seem disposed to come together again; but the days of winter have passed by, and the interposing calves prevent the apposition of the edges"
"some silly, doating, brainless calf" — 1627, Michaell [i.e., Michael] Drayton, “Nimphidia. The Court of Fayrie.”, in The Battaile of Agincourt. […], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for William Lee, […], →OCLC:
"Sure, his calves are a little weak, but the rest of his physique is so overwhelming, he should place high." — 1988, Steve Holman, “Christian Conquers Columbus”, in Ironman, 47 (6): 28-34:

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CEFR Practice Quiz
The newborn ____ wobbled on its legs beside the grazing cow.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The mother cow was very protective of her young ____ on the farm.

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