OpenSynonym

calf

/kæf/

NOUN

1. A young cow or bull

A young bovine animal, especially a young domestic cow or bull.

1.1. Young cattle

Refers to a young domestic bovine, regardless of sex, particularly one that has not yet reached maturity.

Synonyms

  • dogie
  • heifer
  • freemartin
  • maverick
  • yearling
  • young bull
  • young cow

Examples

  • The newborn calf stayed close to its mother in the pasture.
  • The farmer observed the playful antics of the young calf in the barnyard.
  • The rancher proudly showcased the well-bred calf at the county fair.

Related Words

  • cattle
  • bovine
  • bull
  • cow
  • veal
  • livestock

NOUN

2. Leather made from the skin of a young calf

Fine, soft leather produced from the skin of a young calf, often used in bookbinding, footwear, and other leather goods.

2.1. Fine leather from calfskin

Refers to leather made from the hide of a young calf, valued for its smooth texture, fine grain, and relatively soft quality.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The antique book was bound in fine calf leather.
  • The shoemaker selected soft calf for the handmade shoes.

Related Words

  • leather
  • hide
  • pelt
  • bookbinding
  • leather goods

NOUN

3. The young of certain large mammals

A young animal belonging to certain large mammals, including deer, elephants, seals, whales, and giraffes.

3.1. Young offspring of large mammals

Refers to the young offspring of various large mammals, particularly species such as elephants, whales, seals, deer, and giraffes.

Synonyms

Examples

  • The elephant calf stayed close to its mother as the herd moved through the forest.
  • The whale calf swam beside its mother in the open ocean.
  • The seal carefully protected her calf along the shoreline.

Related Words

NOUN

4. A piece of ice broken from a glacier or iceberg

A large mass of ice that breaks away from a glacier, ice shelf, or iceberg.

4.1. A detached mass of ice

Refers to a chunk of ice that separates from a larger glacier, ice shelf, or iceberg, often through a process known as calving.

Synonyms

Examples

  • A massive calf broke away from the glacier and drifted into the sea.
  • Scientists observed a large piece of ice separating from the ice shelf.

Related Words

  • glacier
  • ice shelf
  • ice sheet
  • ice front
  • calving

NOUN

5. A small island near a larger island

A small island situated close to or associated with a larger island.

5.1. A small neighboring island

Refers to a small island located near a larger island, often forming part of the same coastal or island group.

Synonyms

  • islet
  • isle

Examples

  • The fishermen anchored their boats near the small calf off the coast.
  • The isolated calf could be reached only by boat from the neighboring island.

Related Words

NOUN

6. A cabless railroad engine

A railroad locomotive or engine that does not have an enclosed driver's cab.

6.1. A locomotive without a cab

Refers to a railroad engine designed without an enclosed cab for the operator.

Synonyms

  • cabless locomotive
  • cabless engine

Examples

  • The railway museum displayed an old cabless engine among its historic locomotives.
  • The unusual railroad engine was identified as a cabless type.

Related Words

  • locomotive
  • railroad engine
  • railway engine
  • train

NOUN

7. An awkward or foolish young person

An awkward, silly, or foolish boy or young man; more generally, a person regarded as a dolt.

7.1. A foolish or silly person

Refers to someone considered foolish, clumsy, or lacking good judgment, often used in an informal or mildly insulting way.

Synonyms

  • dolt
  • fool
  • simpleton
  • blockhead

Examples

  • The old expression described the inexperienced young man as a foolish calf.
  • He felt like a calf when he stumbled through the unfamiliar social situation.

Related Words

NOUN

8. The back part of the lower leg

The fleshy back portion of the leg below the knee and above the ankle.

8.1. The lower leg between the knee and ankle

Refers to the back portion of the lower leg, particularly the area between the knee and ankle.

Synonyms

  • shank
  • sura

Examples

  • She felt a sharp pain in her calf after running uphill.
  • He stretched the back of his lower leg to relieve the tightness.

Related Words

  • shin
  • foreleg
  • forelimb
  • lower leg
  • limb

NOUN

9. The muscle at the back of the lower leg

The muscular mass at the back of the lower leg, primarily formed by the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles.

9.1. The calf muscle

Refers specifically to the fleshy muscle group at the back of the lower leg that helps move the foot and ankle, especially during walking, running, and jumping.

Synonyms

  • gastrocnemius
  • soleus
  • sura

Examples

  • The athlete strained his calf muscle during the final sprint.
  • Regular stretching can help maintain flexibility in the calf muscles.
  • Her strong calves developed through years of cycling and running.

Related Words

  • drumstick
  • shank
  • shin
  • thigh
  • ham
  • muscle
  • foreleg