Definition

1. Noun:

   • A large female animal: Specifically, the mature female of cattle (genus Bos), kept for milk or meat. The male counterpart is called a bull.
   • (Informal, derogatory) An unpleasant or annoying woman: Used as a slang term to describe a woman perceived as large, stupid, or disagreeable.
   • The female of certain other large animals: Such as the elephant, rhinoceros, whale, or seal.

2. Verb (transitive):

   • To subdue or frighten someone into submission: To intimidate or overawe someone, often through threats or a show of force, making them feel afraid and compliant.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer milks the cow every morning. (Referring to the domestic animal.)
  • He described his boss as an old cow. (Using the informal, derogatory sense.)
  • A cow elephant protects her calf. (Referring to the female of another species.)

• Verb:

  • The bully tried to cow the smaller children with his threats.
  • She refused to be cowed by their criticism and stood her ground.

Advanced Usage

• "Sacred cow": An idea, custom, or institution that is so revered it is considered immune from criticism or change.

  • The company's policy of lifetime employment was a sacred cow until the financial crisis.

• "Till/until the cows come home": For a very long time, seemingly forever.

  • You can argue till the cows come home, but my decision is final.

Variants and Related Words

• Coward (n): A person who lacks courage in danger or pain. (Note: While "cow" and "coward" share a root in the idea of intimidation, they are distinct words.)
• Cowherd (n): A person who tends cattle.
• Cowhide (n): The skin of a cow, used as leather.
• Cowshed (n): A farm building where cattle are kept.
• Cowboy (n): A man, traditionally on horseback, who herds and tends cattle, especially in the western US. (This is a compound word listed as a variant.)

Synonyms

• Noun (animal): Heifer (a young cow that has not borne a calf), bovine.
• Verb: Intimidate, browbeat, bully, daunt, overawe.

Related Phrasal Verbs

(Note: "Cow" as a verb does not commonly form phrasal verbs. Its meaning is typically used without a particle.)

Related Idioms

• "Have a cow": (Slang) To become very angry, upset, or agitated.
  • Don't have a cow! It was just a minor mistake.
• "Cash cow": A business, product, or service that provides a steady, reliable source of income or profit.
  • The smartphone division became the company's cash cow.

Noun

1. a large unpleasant woman
2. mature female of mammals of which the male is called `bull'
3. female of domestic cattle: "`moo-cow' is a child's term"

Verb

1. subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)