calf
1
[ kaf, kahf ]
/ kæf, kɑf /
noun, plural calves [kavz, kahvz] /kævz, kɑvz/.
the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal.
the young of certain other mammals, as the elephant, seal, and whale.
calfskin leather.
Informal.
an awkward, silly boy or man.
a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.
Idioms for calf
in calf,
(of a cow or other animal having calves) pregnant.
kill the fatted calf,
to prepare an elaborate feast in welcome or celebration.
Origin of calf
1
before 900; Middle English; Old English
cealf, calf; cognate with Old Saxon
kalf, Old Norse
kalfr, Old High German
kalb
OTHER WORDS FROM calf
calf·less, adjective calf·like, adjectiveWords nearby calf
Definition for calf (2 of 2)
calf
2
[ kaf, kahf ]
/ kæf, kɑf /
noun, plural calves [kavz, kahvz] /kævz, kɑvz/.
the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.
Origin of calf
2
1275–1325; Middle English < Old Norse
kalfi; akin to
calf1
Example sentences from the Web for calf
British Dictionary definitions for calf (1 of 2)
calf
1
/ (kɑːf) /
noun plural calves
the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle
Related adjective: 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 calf
to celebrate lavishly, esp as a welcome
another name for calfskin
Word Origin for calf
Old English
cealf; related to Old Norse
kālfr, Gothic
kalbō, Old High German
kalba
British Dictionary definitions for calf (2 of 2)
calf
2
/ (kɑːf) /
noun plural calves
the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee
Related adjective: sural
Word Origin for calf
C14: from Old Norse
kalfi
Medical definitions for calf
calf
[ kăf ]
n. pl. calves (kăvz)
The fleshy, muscular back part of the human leg between the knee and ankle, formed chiefly by the bellies of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.
Idioms and Phrases with calf
calf
see kill the fatted calf; puppy (calf) love.