calf Hear it!

calf1 definition

calf (kaf, käf)

noun pl. calves, calfs

  1. a young cow or bull
  2. the young of some other large animals, as the elephant, whale, hippopotamus, seal, etc.
  3. a large piece of ice broken off from an iceberg or coast glacier
  4. leather from the hide of a calf; calfskin
  5. Informal an awkward, callow, or silly youth

Etymology: ME < OE cealf & ON kalfr < IE *geleb(h)- < base *gel-, to swell, form a ball (hence swelling, fetus, offspring) > club, L globus

calf Idioms

kill the fatted calf

to make a feast of celebration or welcome: Luke 15:23
calf2 definition

calf (kaf, käf)

noun pl. calves

the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

Etymology: ME < ON kalfi; akin to kalfr, calf

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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