Definition

Noun: 1. A breed of dairy cattle: Ayrshire refers to a specific breed of dairy cow known for its hardiness and milk production. The breed originated in the county of Ayr in Scotland.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The farm specializes in raising Ayrshire cattle for their high-quality milk.
  • Compared to other breeds, the Ayrshire is particularly well-suited to rugged pastures.

Advanced Usage

• The term is typically used as a proper noun when referring to the breed itself. It can be used in the singular to refer to an individual cow or bull of this breed (e.g., ), or in the plural to refer to the group (e.g., ).

Variants and Related Words

• Ayr (Proper Noun): The county in southwestern Scotland from which this breed originates.

Synonyms

• Dairy cattle: This is the general category. "Ayrshire" specifies a particular breed within this category.
• Milch cow (archaic): An old-fashioned term for a dairy cow.

Different Meanings

• Ayrshire as a proper noun primarily refers to the breed of cattle. It is also the name of the historic county in Scotland. The context will always make clear which meaning is intended (e.g., vs. ).

Noun

1. hardy breed of dairy cattle from Ayr, Scotland