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Webster 1913 Edition


Calf

Calf

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Calves
(#)
.
[OE.
calf
,
kelf
, AS.
cealf
; akin to D.
kalf
, G.
kalb
, Icel.
kālfr
, Sw.
kalf
, Dan.
kalv
, Goth.
kalbō
; cf. Skr.
garbha
fetus, young, Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK][GREEK], Skr
grabh
to seize, conceive, Ir.
colpa
,
colpach
, a calf. √222.]
1.
The young of the cow, or of the Bovine family of quadrupeds. Also, the young of some other mammals, as of the elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and whale.
2.
Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine, light-colored leather used in bookbinding;
as, to bind books in
calf
.
3.
An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a dolt.
[Colloq.]
Some silly, doting, brainless
calf
.
Drayton.
4.
A small island near a larger;
as, the
Calf
of Man
.
5.
A small mass of ice set free from the submerged part of a glacier or berg, and rising to the surface.
Kane.
6.
[Cf. Icel.
kālfi
.]
The fleshy hinder part of the leg below the knee.
Calf’s-foot jelly
,
jelly made from the feet of calves. The gelatinous matter of the feet is extracted by boiling, and is flavored with sugar, essences, etc.

Webster 1828 Edition


Calf

CALF

, n.
1.
The young of the cow, or of the bovine genus of quadrupeds.
2.
In contempt, a dolt; an ignorant, stupid person; a weak or cowardly man.
3.
The thick fleshy part of the leg behind; so called from its protuberance.
4.
The calves of the lips, in Hosea, signify the pure offerings of prayer, praise and thanks-giving.

Definition 2024


calf

calf

English

Noun

calf (plural calves or calfs)

  1. A young cow or bull.
  2. Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine, light-coloured leather used in bookbinding.
  3. A young elephant, seal or whale (also used of some other animals).
  4. A chunk of ice broken off of a larger glacier, ice shelf, or iceberg.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Kane to this entry?)
  5. A small island, near a larger island.
    the Calf of Man
  6. A cabless railroad engine.
  7. (informal, dated) An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a dolt.
    • Drayton
      some silly, doting, brainless calf
Synonyms
Derived terms
  • bull calf, bull-calf
  • calfskin
  • cow calf, cow-calf
Related terms
Translations
See also

Etymology 2

Calf of the leg

Old Norse kalfi, possibly derived from the same Germanic root as calf (young cow) (above).

Noun

calf (plural calves or calfs)

  1. (anatomy) The back of the leg below the knee.
  2. The muscle in the back of the leg below the knee.
    • 1988, Steve Holman, "Christian Conquers Columbus", Ironman, 47 (6): 28-34.
      Sure, his calves are a little weak, but the rest of his physique is so overwhelming, he should place high.


Translations

Anagrams


Middle Dutch

Etymology

From Old Dutch kalf, from Proto-Germanic *kalbaz.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /kalf/

Noun

calf n (stem calv- or calver-)

  1. calf

Derived terms

Declension