Definition

1. Noun:

   • The flesh of a young domestic sheep eaten as food: "Lamb" refers to the meat from a young sheep, considered a type of red meat.
   • A sweet, innocent, mild-mannered person (especially a child): "Lamb" can describe a person, often a child, who is gentle, innocent, and well-behaved.
   • A person easily deceived or cheated (especially in financial matters): "Lamb" is used metaphorically for someone who is gullible or naive, particularly in contexts like scams or unfair deals.
   • Young sheep: "Lamb" is the term for a young sheep, especially one less than one year old.

2. Verb:

   • Give birth to a lamb: Used specifically for a ewe (female sheep) producing offspring. "The ewe lambed" means the ewe gave birth to a lamb.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Food):

  • We had roast lamb for dinner.
  • She prefers the taste of lamb to beef.

• Noun (Innocent Person):

  • The little girl was such a lamb, always helping others.
  • He's a gentle lamb of a man.

• Noun (Gullible Person):

  • The con artists saw the elderly investor as an easy lamb.
  • Don't be a lamb; read the contract carefully before signing.

• Noun (Animal):

  • The lamb followed its mother across the field.
  • In spring, the pastures are full of new lambs.

• Verb:

  • The farmer reported that all his ewes lambed successfully this season.

Advanced Usage

• "Like a lamb": Meekly, quietly, or without resistance.

  • He went to his fate like a lamb.
  • The child followed the teacher like a lamb.

• "A wolf in lamb's clothing": A dangerous person who pretends to be harmless. (Note: This is an idiom using the word 'lamb').

  • Be careful of him; he's a wolf in lamb's clothing.

Variants and Related Words

• Lambing (n): The process of sheep giving birth.

  • Lambing season is in the spring.

• Lamblike (adj): Resembling a lamb in gentleness or innocence.

  • She has a lamblike demeanor.

• Lambkin (n): A small or young lamb (often used as a term of endearment).

  • Come here, my little lambkin.

Synonyms

• Noun (Innocent Person): Innocent, dove, angel.
• Noun (Gullible Person): Dupe, sucker, pushover.
• Noun (Animal): Young sheep.
• Verb: Give birth (for sheep).

Related Phrases

• "The Lamb of God": A title for Jesus Christ in Christian theology, symbolizing innocence and sacrifice.

  • In the painting, John the Baptist points to Jesus as the Lamb of God.

• "Mutton dressed as lamb" (Idiom): An older person trying to look or dress like a much younger one.

  • That outfit is mutton dressed as lamb.

Noun

1. the flesh of a young domestic sheep eaten as food
2. a sweet innocent mild-mannered person (especially a child)
3. a person easily deceived or cheated (especially in financial matters)
4. English essayist (1775-1834)
5. young sheep

Verb

1. give birth to a lamb
   • the ewe lambed