calf

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkäf,
 dialectal also  ˈkāf
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkävz,
ˈkāvz
 also calfs
often attributive
Synonyms of calfnext
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 How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkäf-
 dialectal also  ˈkāf-
adjective

calf

2 of 2

noun (2)

plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
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 tranquilizers were sometimes too weak to render a calf fully unconscious. —Ferris Jabr, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 July 2024 The white bison calf was born on June 4 in Lamar Valley, captured on camera by visitors and photographers. —Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 1 July 2024 This calf came after a severe winter in 2023 drove thousands of Yellowstone buffalo to lower elevations. —Amy Beth Hanson and Mead Gruver, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 June 2024 This is similar in its underlying theme to the golden calf story, which describes the Jews’ lack of faith (Exodus 32, 33). —Rabbi Avi Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for calf 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'calf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 *gwelbhu- (see -adelphous), but the expected outcome of an ablaut form *gwolbh-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

Time Traveler
The first known use of calf was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing calf

Dictionary Entries Near calf

Caley pea

calf

calf's-foot jelly

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Calf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/calf. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

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Kids Definition

calf

1 of 2 noun
ˈkaf How to pronounce calf (audio)
ˈkȧf
plural calves ˈkavz How to pronounce calf (audio)
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 How to pronounce calf (audio)
plural calves ˈkavz, ˈkȧvz How to pronounce calf (audio)
: the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

More from Merriam-Webster on calf

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for calf

Nglish: Translation of calf for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of calf for Arabic Speakers

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