cow Hear it!

cow1 definition

cow (ko̵u)

noun

  1. the mature female of domestic cattle (genus Bos), valued for its milk
  2. the mature female of certain other mammals, as the buffalo, elephant, moose, whale, etc.: the male of such animals is called a bull
  3. ☆ West a domestic bovine animal, whether a steer, bull, cow, or calf: usually used in pl.

Etymology: ME cou, cow, pl. kye (southern doubled pl. kyn) < OE cū, pl. cy < IE base *gwou-, cow, ox > Sans gauḥ, Gr bous, L bos, OIr bo, Ger kuh

cow Idioms

have a cow

Slang to become very agitated or angry
cow2 definition

cow (ko̵u)

transitive verb

to make timid and submissive by filling with fear or awe; intimidate

Etymology: < ON kūga, to subdue; meaning infl. by cow, coward

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