I. ˈshēp noun
( plural sheep )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English scēap, scēp; akin to Middle Dutch schaep sheep, Old High German scāf
1. : any of numerous ruminant mammals (genus Oyis ) native to upland regions of the northern hemisphere and related to the goats from which they may usually be distinguished by a stockier build, absence of a beard in the male, and horns that when present are more divergent and in older males often coiled into flattened lateral spirals ; specifically : a mammal ( O. aries ) long domesticated for its flesh, specialized hair or wool, and other products and differentiated through continued selection into many breeds some of which are notable for meat production, others for wool, and a few for fur or milk — see ewe , lamb , ram ; mutton ; karakul
2. : one that is like a sheep (as in being a defenseless innocent creature or in being readily preyed upon or shorn): as
a. : mankind or a group of people under the shepherding care of God or Christ ; also : a group under the charge of a pastor or similar director
b. : a stupid docile person : a silly bashful fellow
c. obsolete : a biddable kindly woman — often opposed to shrew
3. : leather prepared from the skins of sheep : sheepskin
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
: to graze or pasture (as land or crops) by sheep — often used with off or down
sheeping off the grass