n. (pl. oxen)
1. any bovine animal, esp. a large usu. horned domesticated ruminant used for draught, for supplying milk, and for eating as meat.
2 a castrated male of a domesticated species of cattle, Bos taurus.
Phrases and idioms:
ox-fence a strong fence for keeping in cattle, consisting of railings, a hedge, and often a ditch. ox-pecker any African bird of the genus Buphagus, feeding on skin parasites living on animals.
Etymology: OE oxa f. Gmc