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

The calf can then be released into the ocean once her pod travels nearby, John said Thursday at the news conference. —Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

The calf was born to Ubi, 18 years old, and dad Albert, who is 13. —USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2024

This calf marks the third elephant born in the zoo, joining its big sisters Nandi and Penzi. —Eshaan Sarup, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024

In some cases, the elephants traveled for 48 hours while carrying the dead calves, per Live Science’s Hannah Osborne. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024

The electric massager brings the spa right to your home and massages your feet, calves, ankles, legs, and arms. —Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 26 Mar. 2024

Some will be 'losers' Tucson zoo happily welcomes elephant calf amid concern of complications For more information on Student of the Week, email [e-mail]. —Marcus Reichley, The Arizona Republic, 11 Mar. 2024

Fewer whales and calves were seen at breeding grounds during that time, as well. —Li Cohen, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2024

Sightings of the injured calf can be reported to the NOAA Marine Wildlife Hotline at 1-888-256-9840. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 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