A Cow
- (properly) An adult female of the species Bos taurus, especially one that has calved.
- (formerly inexact but now common) Any member of the species Bos taurus regardless of sex or age, including bulls and calves.
- (uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
- (uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
- (biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
- (derogatory, Britain, Australia, informal) A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult. quotations ▼
- (mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
Usage notes
The plural cows is the normal plural for multiple individuals, while cattle is used in a more collective sense. The umlaut plurals kee, kie, kine, ky and kye are archaic or dialectal, and are not in common use.
Synonyms
- (derogatory: despicable woman): bitch
- (female animal):
- (female dolphin): dolphinet (archaic)
- (informal: anything annoyingly difficult): bastard, bitch, bugger (UK)