Definition of 'calf'

Word Frequency

calf

(kɑːf , US kæf )

Word forms: plural calves (kɑːvz , US kævz)

1. countable noun

A calf is a young cow.

2. countable noun

Some other young animals, including elephants and whales, are called calves.

3. countable noun

Your calf is the thick part at the back of your leg, between your ankle and your knee.

...a calf injury.

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calf

calf in British English 1

(kɑːf )

nounWord forms: plural calves

the young of cattle, esp domestic cattle

▶ Related adjective: vituline

the young of certain other mammals, such as the buffalo, elephant, giraffe, and whale

a large piece of floating ice detached from an iceberg, etc

4. kill the fatted calf

5. another name for calfskin

Word origin

Old English cealf; related to Old Norse kālfr, Gothic kalbō, Old High German kalba

Word Frequency

calf in British English 2

(kɑːf )

nounWord forms: plural calves

the thick fleshy part of the back of the leg between the ankle and the knee

▶ Related adjective: sural

Word origin

C14: from Old Norse kalfi

Word Frequency

calf in American English 1

(kæf ; kɑf )

nounWord forms: plural calves or calfs

a young cow or bull

the young of some other large animals, as the elephant, whale, hippopotamus, seal, etc.

a large piece of ice broken off from an iceberg or coast glacier

leather from the hide of a calf; calfskin

5. Informal

an awkward, callow, or silly youth

Idioms:

kill the fatted calf

Word origin

ME < OE cealf & ON kalfr < IE *geleb(h)- < base *gel-, to swell, form a ball (hence swelling, fetus, offspring) > club, L globus

Word Frequency

calf in American English 2

(kæf ; kɑf )

nounWord forms: plural calves

the fleshy back part of the leg below the knee

Word origin

ME < ON kalfi; akin to kalfr, calf1

Word Frequency

calf in American English 1

(kæf, kɑːf)

nounWord forms: plural calves (kævz, kɑːvz)

the young of the domestic cow or other bovine animal

the young of certain other mammals, as the elephant, seal, and whale

calfskin leather

4. informal

an awkward, silly boy or man

a mass of ice detached from a glacier, iceberg, or floe

6. See in calf

7. See kill the fatted calf

Derived forms

calfless

adjective

calflike

adjective

Word origin

[bef. 900; ME; OE cealf, calf; c. OS kalf, ON kalfr, OHG kalb]

Word Frequency

calf in American English 2

(kæf, kɑːf)

nounWord forms: plural calves (kævz, kɑːvz)

the fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee

Word origin

[1275–1325; ME ‹ ON kalfi; akin to calf1]

Examples of 'calf' in a sentence
calf

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He came on as a sub having spent six weeks out with a calf injury.I also like my ankles and calves. A calf injury had also postponed his defence against Fury last year.The West Ham man has a grade one calf injury. Wasps say they are awaiting a scan on a calf injury, which will be worrying news for Jones.Then move your attention up your legs to your calves.You will begin to feel the stretch in the back of your calves.Activists say elephant calves are still being wrenched from their mothers to be put to work. Wear them over dance tights or leggings to keep your calves and ankles protected. Going downhill can increase your risk of knee and calf injuries without care.