calf

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈkaf 

ˈkäf,

 dialectal also  ˈkāf

plural calves ˈkavz 

ˈkävz,

ˈkāvz

also calfs

often attributive

1

a

: the young of the domestic cow

also : that of a closely related mammal (such as a bison)

b

: the young of various large animals (such as the elephant or whale)

2

plural calfs : the hide of the domestic calf

especially : calfskin

3

: an awkward or silly youth

calflike

ˈkaf-ˌlīk 

ˈkäf-

 dialectal also  ˈkāf-

adjective

calf

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural calves ˈkavz 

ˈkävz

: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

The cat rubbed against her calves.

Phrases

in calf

: pregnant

—used of a cow

Examples of calf in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Female calves can be raised as dairy cows, but most male calves born on dairy farms are regarded as surplus. —Keith Pandolfi, Saveur, 15 May 2024

An endangered addax calf at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge arrived in time to celebrate Mother's Day with his mom. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 12 May 2024

Then some of the boys split off to drive the cattle into mountain meadows for grazing, while the rest take shifts guarding the latest additions to the herd: three tiny white calves, snuggled in an enclosure built of thorny branches. —Nurith Aizenman, NPR, 12 May 2024

An addax, a critically endangered animal, at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge just gave birth to her first calf just in time to celebrate Mother's Day. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

From a steady, soothing pulse for overall relaxation to powerful kneading for loosening tight calf muscles or revitalizing tired feet, the versatility of these modes enhances the user experience by providing targeted relief where it’s needed most. —Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 8 May 2024

Murray, bothered by a left calf injury, lacked explosiveness. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 6 May 2024

Kempf now has a couple horses, chickens, dogs, and a new baby highland bull calf. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2024

In this mile-wide basin above timberline were about 50 elk — cows, calves, young bulls, great patriarchs with brown, massive, six-point antlers tipped with ivory. —Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 2 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

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 *g^welbhu- (see -adelphous), but the expected outcome of an ablaut form *g^wolbh-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"

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing calf

• calf-love
• calf's-foot jelly
• in calf

Kids Definition

calf

1 of 2 noun

ˈkaf 

ˈkȧf

plural calves ˈkavz 

ˈkȧvz

1

a

: the young of the domestic cow

b

: the young of various other large animals (as the elephant or whale)

2

plural calfs : calfskin

calf

2 of 2 noun

plural calves

: the fleshy or muscular back part of the leg below the knee

Etymology

Noun

Old English cealf "young cow"

Noun

Middle English calf "part of the leg"; of Norse origin

Medical Definition

calf

noun

ˈkaf, ˈkȧf 

plural calves ˈkavz, ˈkȧvz 

: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee