Definition of bovine
1 : of, relating to, or resembling bovines and especially the ox or cow a bovine disease
2 : having qualities (such as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows had a stupid, bovine expression on his face
bovinely
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of bovine in a Sentence
She stared at us with a stupid, bovine expression.
Did You Know?
Bovine comes from the Latin word for "cow", though the biological family called the Bovidae actually includes not only cows and oxen but also goats, sheep, bison, and buffalo. So bovine is often used technically, when discussing "bovine diseases", "bovine anatomy", and so on. It can also describe a human personality, though it can be a rather unkind way to describe someone. When Hera, the wife of Zeus, is called "cow-eyed", though, it's definitely a compliment, and Zeus fairly melts when she turns those big bovine eyes on him.
Origin and Etymology of bovine
Late Latin bovinus, from Latin bov-, bos ox, cow — more at cow
First Known Use: 1721
bovine
Definition of bovine
biology : any of a subfamily (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives
Origin and Etymology of bovine
see 1bovine
First Known Use: 1839
BOVINE Defined for English Language Learners
bovine
playDefinition of bovine for English Language Learners
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: relating to cows
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: looking or acting like a cow
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about bovine
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See words that rhyme with bovine Spanish Central: Translation of bovine Nglish: Translation of bovine for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of bovine for Arabic speakers
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