cow noun
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\ ˈkau̇ \
Definition of cow (Entry 1 of 2)
1a: the mature female of cattle (genus Bos)
b: the mature female of various usually large animals (such as an elephant, whale, or moose)
2: a domestic bovine animal regardless of sex or age
3chiefly British, informal : a woman who is stupid or annoying
Liesel was on such a high that she felt indestructible. "I said," she beamed, "stupid cow," and she didn't have to wait a single moment for the teacher's hand to slap her.
— Markus Zusak
cow verb
cowed; cowing; cows
Definition of cow (Entry 2 of 2)
transitive verb

: to destroy the resolve or courage of
also : to bring to a state or an action by intimidation —used with into
… like too many Asian armies, adept at cowing a population into feeding them …
— Edward Lansdale
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Noun

cow 1a: 1 hoof, 2 pastern, 3 dewclaw, 4 switch, 5 hock, 6 rear udder, 7 flank, 8 thigh, 9 tail, 10 pinbone, 11 tail head, 12 thurl, 13 hip, 14 barrel, 15 ribs, 16 crops, 17 withers, 18 heart girth, 19 neck, 20 horn, 21 poll, 22 forehead, 23 bridge of nose, 24 muzzle, 25 jaw, 26 throat, 27 point of shoulder, 28 dewlap, 29 point of elbow, 30 brisket, 31 chest floor, 32 knee, 33 milk well, 34 milk vein, 35 fore udder, 36 teats, 37 rump, 38 loin

In the meaning defined above

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Other Words from cow
Noun

cowy \ ˈkau̇-​ē \ adjective
Verb

cowedly \ ˈkau̇(-​ə)d-​lē \ adverb
Synonyms for cow
Synonyms: Verb

blackjack, bogart, browbeat, bulldoze, bully, bullyrag, hector, intimidate, strong-arm
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Verb

INTIMIDATE, COW, BULLDOZE, BULLY, BROWBEAT mean to frighten into submission. INTIMIDATE implies inducing fear or a sense of inferiority into another. intimidated by so many other bright freshmen COW implies reduction to a state where the spirit is broken or all courage is lost. not at all cowed by the odds against making it in show business BULLDOZE implies an intimidating or an overcoming of resistance usually by urgings, demands, or threats. bulldozed the city council into approving the plan BULLY implies intimidation through threats, insults, or aggressive behavior. bullied into giving up their lunch money BROWBEAT implies a cowing through arrogant, scornful, or contemptuous treatment. browbeat the witness into a contradiction

Examples of cow in a Sentence
Noun
The cows need to be milked twice a day.
Verb
I refuse to be cowed by their threats.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
But apart from the 17 chickens, three geese, two cats, a cow, a duck and a collie called Mac, Shedd was not a sociable sort of place.
— The Economist, "Christmas newsletters are a form of slow social media," 16 Dec. 2020
They are accused of killing cows for meat — many Hindus consider the cow sacred — and cornered in public places to prove their patriotism.
— New York Times, "India’s Leading Documentary Filmmaker Has a Warning," 1 Dec. 2020
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cow
Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1581, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cow
Noun

Middle English cou, from Old English cū; akin to Old High German kuo cow, Latin bos head of cattle, Greek bous, Sanskrit go

Verb

probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish kue to subdue

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Time Traveler for cow

The first known use of cow was before the 12th century
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