from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Calf \Calf\, n.; pl. {Calves}. [OE. calf, kelf, AS. cealf; akin
to D. kalf, G. kalb, Icel. k[=a]lfr, Sw. kalf, Dan. kalv,
Goth. kalb[=o]; cf. Skr. garbha fetus, young, Gr. ?????, Skr
grabh to seize, conceive, Ir. colpa, colpach, a calf.
[root]222.]
1. The young of the cow, or of the Bovine family of
quadrupeds. Also, the young of some other mammals, as of
the elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and whale.
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2. Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine,
light-colored leather used in bookbinding; as, to bind
books in calf.
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3. An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a
dolt. [Colloq.]
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Some silly, doting, brainless calf. --Drayton.
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4. A small island near a larger; as, the Calf of Man.
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5. A small mass of ice set free from the submerged part of a
glacier or berg, and rising to the surface. --Kane.
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6. [Cf. Icel. k[=a]lfi.] The fleshy hinder part of the leg
below the knee.
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{Calf's-foot jelly}, jelly made from the feet of calves. The
gelatinous matter of the feet is extracted by boiling, and
is flavored with sugar, essences, etc.
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