calf

noun (1), often attributive

\ ˈkaf

, ˈkäf, dialectal also ˈkāf\

plural calves\ ˈkavz

, ˈkävz , ˈkāvz \ also calfs

Definition of calf

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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

in calf

: pregnant —used of a cow

calf

noun (2)

plural calves\ ˈkavz

, ˈkävz \

Definition of calf (Entry 2 of 2)

: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee The cat rubbed against her calves.

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 *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"

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