cow

¹cow

noun \ˈkau̇\

Definition of COW

1

a : the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)

b : the mature female of various usually large animals (as an elephant, whale, or moose)

2

: a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age

— cowy \-ē\ adjective

Examples of COW

1. The cows need to be milked twice a day.

Illustration of COW

Origin of COW

Middle English cou, from Old English cū; akin to Old High German kuo cow, Latin bos head of cattle, Greek bous, Sanskrit go

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Mammals Terms

dormouse, dugong, gibbon, grimalkin, sable, stoat, ungulate, vole

Rhymes with COW

bough, bow, brow, Chao, chow, ciao, dhow, Dou, dow, Dow, Frau, hao, how, howe, jow, Lao, Liao, mow, now, ow, plow, pow, prau, prow, Rao, row, scow, slough, sough, sow, Tao, tau, thou, vow, wow

²cow

transitive verb

Definition of COW

: to destroy the resolve or courage of; also : to bring to a state or an action by intimidation —used with into <like too many Asian armies, adept at cowing a population into feeding them — Edward Lansdale>

— cowed·ly \ˈkau̇(-ə)d-lē\ adverb

Examples of COW

1. I refuse to be cowed by their threats.
2. <a sharp glare cowed the child into being quiet>

Origin of COW

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Dan kue to subdue

First Known Use: 1581

Related to COW

Synonyms

blackjack, bogart, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, bullyrag, intimidate, hector, mau-mau, strong-arm

Related Words

bluster, trash-talk; affright, alarm (also alarum), frighten, horrify, scare, shock, spook, startle, terrify; menace, terrorize, threaten; badger, harass, hound; bludgeon, coerce, compel, constrain, dragoon, force, make, oblige, press, pressure, push around; demoralize, psych (out), unman, unnerve; discompose, disconcert, disquiet, distress, disturb, perturb, upset

Near Antonyms

cheer, comfort, console, reassure, solace, soothe; embolden, encourage, hearten, steel; convince, persuade

See Synonym Discussion at intimidate

cow

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In animal husbandry, the mature female of domesticated cattle. The name is also applied to the mature female of various, usually large, animals (e.g., elephant, whale, or moose), or, more broadly, to any domestic bovine animal (see bovid) regardless of gender or age.