noun

calf

calf

The cow is with her calf.

The cow is with her calf.

I pulled a muscle in my calf.

I pulled a muscle in my calf.

((a/the)) calf a young cow or bull The cow is with her calf.

((one's)) calf the back part of the leg below the knee I pulled a muscle in my calf.

Synonyms: (animal) young cow; (leg) shin (front of lower leg)

From Old English 'cealf'. The leg meaning comes from the resemblance to a calf's bulging leg muscle.

Picture a baby cow (calf) kicking with its strong calf muscle. This links the two meanings.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.