adjective / noun
bovine
BOH-vyne/ˈbəʊvaɪn/
Belonging to or characteristic of cattle.
The grazing cow displays the broad muzzle and sturdy build typical of bovine animals.
Etymology
Literally “of or like cattle,” bovine extended from animal classification to human manner. In figurative use, the cattle comparison conveys dullness and inactivity.
In context
I buy organic milk which has no recombinant bovine growth hormone well you you get what I'm saying the ground beef that I make hamburgers from it says uh grass fed free-range cattle no hormones
More examples
- Cattle and their close relatives are bovines.
- A large bovine grazed near the fence.
- The critic described his placid, unresponsive stare as bovine.
Forms
bovine · bovines
Similar words
- cattle
- Cattle names the domesticated animals; bovine also functions as an adjective and can extend to related animals.