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

Burrow will have a little extra time to rest the calf. —oregonlive, 18 Sep. 2023

Against a rival whose star quarterback missed practically all of training camp with a calf injury. —Mark Heim | [e-mail], al, 18 Sep. 2023

Safety Juan Thornhill, who sat out Sunday’s 24-3 victory over the Bengals with his calf injury, is also listed as questionable, as is rookie defensive tackle Siaki Ika (foot). —cleveland, 16 Sep. 2023

Her boots even fit wide calves, a rarity in the shoe market. —Irene Kim, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2023

Burrow, who missed most of training camp with a calf injury, could not find any downfield connection with his elite trio of wide receivers: Ja’Marr Chase; Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 14 Sep. 2023

On Tuesday, two hikers with three dogs, all on their leashes, spotted a cow moose and its calf near the Crags Trail, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said in a news release. —Gina Martinez, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2023

The Achilles tendon connects the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel. —David K. Li, NBC News, 12 Sep. 2023

Two starters — left guard Tyler Smith (hamstring strain) and safety Donovan Wilson (calf) — didn’t practice. —David Moore, Dallas News, 7 Sep. 2023

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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's-foot jelly
• calf-love
• in calf

• calf's-foot jelly
• calf-love
• 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