/ kɑːf; NAmE kæf/ noun ( pl. calves / kɑːvz; NAmE kævz/)
1.
[ C ] the back part of the leg between the ankle and the knee :
I've torn a calf muscle.
—picture at body
2.
[ C ] a young cow
3.
[ C ] a young animal of some other type such as a young elephant or whale
4.
[ U ] = calfskin
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IDIOMS
- in / with calf
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WORD ORIGIN
senses 2 to 4 Old English cælf , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kalf and German Kalb .
sense 1 Middle English : from Old Norse kálfi , of unknown origin.