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lamb

Pronunciation: /lam/

Translate lamb | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of lamb

noun

  • a young sheep.
  • [mass noun] the flesh of a lamb as food: we had roast lamb for supper [as modifier]:lamb chops
  • used figuratively as a symbol of meekness or innocence:he accepted her decision like a lamb
  • used to describe or address someone regarded with affection or pity, especially a young child:the poor lamb is very upset

verb

  • 1 [no object] (of a ewe) give birth to lambs: Shetland sheep lamb very easily
  • [with object] tend (ewes) at lambing time: I lambed a flock of 30 ewes for a neighbour
  • 2 [with object] (lamb someone down) Australian/NZ informal, dated encourage someone to squander their money, especially on alcohol:Pitt had been lambed down at the Pig and Whistle

Phrases

in lamb

(of a ewe) pregnant: ewes in lamb are marked with blue paint

the Lamb of God (also the Lamb)

a title of Jesus Christ (see John 1:29).

like a lamb to the slaughter

as a helpless victim.

Derivatives

lamber

noun

lamblike

adjective

Origin:

Old English, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch lam and German Lamm

lamb in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of lamb in the US English dictionary