calve

Definition

To give birth to a calf.

Etymology

From Middle English calven, from Old English *calfian, cealfian, from Proto-West Germanic *kalbōn, from Proto-Germanic *kalbōną (“to calve”), from *kalbaz (“calf”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian koolvje, Dutch kalven, German Low German kalven, German kalben, Swedish kalva, Icelandic kálfa.

Example Sentences

• "The farmer could tell Bessie was about to calve."
• "The farmer calved Bessie for almost two hours."
• "The glacier was starting to calve even as we watched."

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