calf1

 
Pronunciation: /kɑːf/

noun (plural calves /kɑːvz/)

  • 1a young bovine animal, especially a domestic cow or bull in its first year: a heifer calf
  • the young of some other large mammals, such as elephants, rhinoceroses, large deer and antelopes, and whales.
  • short for calfskin.
  • 2a floating piece of ice detached from an iceberg.

Phrases

in (or with) calf

(of a cow) pregnant: most of the heifers are in calf

Derivatives

calf-like

adjective

Origin:

Old English cælf, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kalf and German Kalb