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cow

cow¹ definition

cow (ko̵u)

noun

the mature female of domestic cattle (genus Bos), valued for its milk
the mature female of certain other mammals, as the buffalo, elephant, moose, whale, etc.: the male of such animals is called a bull
☆ 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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
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