calf — A young cow or bull; the young of certain other large animals such as elephants or whales.
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A young cow or bull; the young of certain other large animals such as elephants or whales.
Pronunciation (IPA): /kæf/
Example Sentences
- The calf tried to run but wobbled on its skinny legs.
- My calf muscles are so sore, I walk like an actual baby calf now.
- The farmer named every calf after his favorite superheroes.
calf
NOUN[/kæf/]
A young cow or bull; the young of certain other large animals such as elephants or whales.
A newborn calf wobbles to its feet beside its gentle mother cow.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Calf derives from Old English 'cealf', which originated from the Proto-Germanic '*kalbaz' meaning 'young animal' or 'calf'. The word initially referred exclusively to a young bovine, but during the Middle English period, a semantic shift occurred when the bulging shape of the leg muscle was likened to the rounded form of a plump calf, thereby acquiring the anatomical meaning.
Breakdown
Old English 'cealf' (young animal/calf) comes from Proto-Germanic '*kalbaz' (young animal). The modern anatomical sense developed through metaphorical association, comparing the rounded protrusion of the leg muscle to the shape of a young calf's body.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The calf tried to run but wobbled on its skinny legs.”
“My calf muscles are so sore, I walk like an actual baby calf now.”
“The farmer named every calf after his favorite superheroes.”
“Wearing high heels all day can strain your calf muscles.”
“He joked that his calves were bigger than the actual baby cow.”
📚Related Words
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