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calf



[ ˈkaf]



calf   
noun
[ˈkaf]
plural calves\ ˈkavz , ˈkävz \

Other Words from calf

Noun (1)

calflike \ ˈkaf-​ˌlīk , ˈkäf-​ , dialectal also  ˈkāf-​ \ adjective



First Known Use of calf

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above



History and Etymology for calf

Noun (1)

Middle English, going back to Old English cælf, plural calfur (Anglian), cealf (West Saxon), going back to Germanic *kalƀaz, *kalƀiz-, neuter s-stem (whence also Old Saxon kalf "young of a cow," Old High German kalb, Old Norse kalfr, and, from a derivative *kalƀōn-, Old High German kalba "female calf," Gothic kalbo), of uncertain origin

Note: Associated with Greek delphýs "womb," Sanskrit garbha- "womb, fetus," going back to Indo-European *gwelbhu- (see -adelphous), but the expected outcome of an ablaut form *gwolbh-es- would be Germanic *kwalb-iz-, which does not match the attested forms.

Noun (2)

Middle English, borrowed from Old Norse kalfi "calf of the leg," going back to a Germanic source probably akin to early Modern Dutch kalf "swelling of the hand or foot," Old High German wazzerchalp "edema," German dialect Kalb "muscle"



Dictionary Entries near calf


More Synonyms and Antonyms ofcalf

Synonyms of calf

the muscular back part of the leg below the knee

Synonyms and Near Synonyms for calf



More Definitions forcalf

calf

noun
\ ˈkaf , ˈkäf\
plural calves\ ˈkavz , ˈkävz \

Kids Definition of calf

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a young cow
2 : the young of various large animals (as the elephant, moose, or whale)

calf

noun
plural calves

Kids Definition of calf (Entry 2 of 2)

: the muscular back part of the leg below the knee

calf

noun
\ ˈkaf, ˈkȧf \
plural calves\ ˈkavz, ˈkȧvz \

Medical Definition of calf

: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee