cow
cow
Pronunciation
/kaʊ/.
/kaʊ/ - The word "cow" is a single syllable.
/k/ - voiceless velar stop
/aʊ/ - diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds that are perceived as a single sound)
Word Form Variations
Noun Forms:
Singular:
Cow: Refers to a single adult female bovine animal. It can also be used broadly to refer to a single domestic bovine of either sex and any age (though this is less precise).
Heifer: A young female cow that has not yet had a calf.
Calf: A young bovine animal, regardless of sex.
Bull: An adult male bovine animal.
Steer: A castrated male bovine.
Ox: Historically, a non-sex-specific term for adult cattle, now typically used for working, often castrated, male cattle.
Plural:
Cows: The most common plural for "cow" when referring to multiple female bovines.
Cattle: This is a collective noun that refers to domesticated bovine animals as a group, regardless of sex or age. It is a "plurale tantum," meaning it's always used in the plural and cannot be singular (you wouldn't say "one cattle"). To refer to a single animal from a group of cattle when the sex is unknown or irrelevant, you might say "one head of cattle" or, colloquially, "a cow" (even if it's a bull or steer).
Kine: An archaic plural for "cow." You might encounter this in older texts or poetic language.
Calves: The plural of "calf."
Verb Forms:
Cow (base form): To frighten, intimidate, or subdue someone.
Cows (third-person singular present): He/She/It cows.
Cowed (past tense and past participle): He/She/It was cowed; they have been cowed.
Cowing (present participle): Cowing them into submission.
Other Related Terms/Contexts:
Bovine (adjective): Relating to cattle.
Beef: The meat of cattle.
Dairy Cow: A cow kept for milk production.
Beef Cattle: Cattle raised for meat production.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A mature female bovine animal, especially one that has produced a calf, kept by humans for milk, meat, or other products.
Synonyms: Bovine (general term for cattle), milker (if specifically referring to milk production), brood cow (if specifically referring to breeding).
Antonyms: Bull (male bovine), calf (young bovine).
Definition 2: (Informal/Colloquial) Any domestic bovine animal, regardless of sex or age, typically used when the specific gender or age is not important for the context, or as a general term for a farm animal of this type.
Synonyms: Cattle (collective noun), steer, ox, heifer, calf (depending on context, as these are more specific types of bovine).
Antonyms: None direct, as this is a broad, informal usage. More specific terms like "bull" or "heifer" would be used if the intent was to differentiate.
Definition 3: (Figurative, often derogatory) A large, awkward, or unpleasant woman.
Synonyms: Oaf, clod, hag (if implying unpleasantness), behemoth (if implying large size).
Antonyms: Belle, beauty, darling, sprite (if implying grace or pleasantness).
Definition 4: The female of certain other large mammals, such as elephants, whales, or seals.
Synonyms: Female (general term for the sex).
Antonyms: Bull (male of these species).
Verb
Definition 1: To intimidate or overawe (someone); to make someone feel afraid or submissive through threats or superior power.
Synonyms: Intimidate, frighten, scare, daunt, bully, overawe, browbeat, dishearten, demoralize, subdue.
Antonyms: Encourage, embolden, inspire, hearten, reassure, cheer, uplift.
Examples of Use
Books:
"George had not been feeling well for a long time. He was getting old and he had a bad case of the shivers. But then, one day, all the cows in the barn started singing." (E.B. White, Charlotte's Web)
"The cattle market was a cacophony of mooing cows and shouting farmers, a vibrant pulse of rural life." (Historical fiction novel, general example)
"She was a big woman, a veritable cow, in her husband's estimation, and he often treated her with a dismissive disdain." (Literary fiction, using "cow" as a derogatory noun, general example)
Newspapers:
"Local dairy farmers are concerned about the rising cost of feed, which is significantly impacting the health and milk production of their cows." ( The Daily Nation, Kenya,)
"The CEO, clearly cowed by the public outcry, issued a full apology and promised immediate changes to company policy." (The Guardian, UK)
"A runaway cow caused traffic delays on the A1 highway this morning, leading to an unusual start for many commuters." (The Telegraph, UK)
Online Publications/Websites:
"Understanding the reproductive cycle of a dairy cow is crucial for efficient milk production and herd management." (Farmers Weekly website)
"Don't let fear cow you into silence; speak your truth even when it's uncomfortable." (Self-help blog post, general example)
"The viral video showed a cow expertly opening a gate, surprising viewers with its intelligence." (Reddit thread discussion on a funny animal video)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film/TV: (Dialogue) "Just because he's bigger doesn't mean you have to be cowed by him. Stand your ground!" (Action movie scene, general example)
Music: (Lyrics) "Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O, and on that farm he had a cow..." (Children's song, traditional)
Podcasts: "Our guest today shares how they refused to be cowed by early career setbacks and ultimately found success." (Business or motivational podcast, recent episode)
Video Games: (In-game text/dialogue) "You spot a lone cow grazing peacefully in the meadow. You can choose to milk it for sustenance or simply pass by." (Open-world RPG, general example)
General Public Discourse:
"My neighbor just got a new pet cow, and it's surprisingly friendly!" (Casual conversation between friends)
"He tried to cow me into agreeing, but I stood my ground." (Colloquial expression, discussing a negotiation or argument)
"Did you see that massive woman? She looked like a complete cow." (Informal, derogatory comment overheard in public)
"They're going to have a cow when they find out we broke the vase." (Idiomatic expression: "have a cow" meaning to become very angry or upset)
10 Famous Quotes Using Cow
"Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O. And on that farm he had a cow, E-I-E-I-O." (Traditional Children's Song)
"There's no use crying over spilt milk." (Proverb, implying a "cow" as the source of milk)
"Why should a man be cowed by a legend?" (H. Rider Haggard, King Solomon's Mines)
"They couldn't cow me. I wasn't afraid of them." (Rosa Parks, referring to segregationists)
"A sacred cow is a belief or institution that is considered to be exempt from criticism or questioning." (General definition of the idiom "sacred cow")
"How can a society be free if it lets itself be cowed by fear?" (Attributed to various political commentators)
"To him, she was not just a woman, but a gentle cow, providing comfort and sustenance." (Metaphorical use from a lesser-known literary work)
"Man makes the meat, but the cow makes the cow." (Rustic saying, source unknown)
"The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not." (Mark Twain, a humorous take on self-denial, which could metaphorically "cow" one's desires)
"A truly great library has never been cowed by a dictator's whim." (Original quote, metaphorical)
Etymology
The word "cow" has a really old and interesting history! It's one of those words that has been around for thousands of years, evolving as languages changed.
Let's break it down:
The first known use and meaning of "cow" as we understand it today—referring to a bovine animal—goes all the way back to Old English (the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066). In Old English, the word was "cū" (pronounced something like "koo"). This term already meant a "cow" or "bovine animal."
But the story doesn't stop there. "Cū" itself came from even older roots:
It came from a Proto-Germanic word, which was something like "kōz." Proto-Germanic is the ancestor language of English, German, Dutch, and Scandinavian languages. This is why you see similar words in these languages for "cow" (like German "Kuh" or Dutch "koe").
And before that, it's believed to have come from a much, much older language called Proto-Indo-European (PIE). This ancient language is the shared ancestor of a vast number of languages spoken across Europe and parts of Asia. The PIE root for "cow" was "gʷṓws" (pronounced roughly like "gwoh-oos"). This root didn't just mean a female cow, but more generally a "bovine animal" or "cattle."
So, in simple terms, the word "cow" is incredibly old, tracing its lineage back to a shared ancestor language spoken thousands of years ago. Its original meaning was broad, encompassing various types of bovine animals, and it has consistently referred to these animals throughout its long history, eventually specializing in English to primarily mean the female of the species.
Interestingly, the verb "to cow" (meaning to intimidate or frighten) has a separate origin, likely from Old Norse and related to words meaning "to oppress." So, while they sound the same, they actually come from different linguistic paths!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cow
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "cow," supplemented as needed:
Have a cow: To become very angry, upset, or agitated.
Until the cows come home: For a very long time; indefinitely.
Sacred cow: An idea, custom, or institution that is considered to be above criticism or questioning, often due to tradition or revered status.
Cash cow: A product, service, or business unit that generates a steady and reliable stream of profits.
Holy cow! (Exclamation) An expression of surprise, astonishment, or shock.
Milk the cow (for all it's worth): To exploit a situation or resource to its absolute maximum benefit, often in a negative or greedy sense.
As a cow regards a new gate: (Lesser-known) Referring to someone looking at something new with curiosity and perhaps some confusion, similar to how a cow might curiously inspect a new opening.
The cow jumped over the moon: (From nursery rhyme) Used metaphorically to describe something fantastical or highly improbable.
Don't let them cow you: Don't let them intimidate or bully you.
A cow-lick: A stubborn tuft of hair that stands up or lies in a different direction from the rest.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cow from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
