Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, strong, domesticated bovine mammal: An "ox" is specifically an adult male bovine (of the genus Bos) that has been castrated, trained, and used as a draft animal for pulling carts or plowing fields.
   • A general term for wild bovines: In zoological contexts, "ox" can also refer to various wild bovine animals, especially those related to the genus Bos.

Usage and Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer used a team of oxen to plow the field. (Here, "oxen" is the plural form, referring to castrated bulls used for labor.)
  • The musk ox is adapted to live in Arctic regions. (In this zoological use, "ox" refers to a specific type of wild bovine.)

Advanced Usage

• "To have the black ox tread on one's foot": This is an archaic idiom meaning to experience misfortune or the burdens of old age.
  • After his business failed, he felt as if the black ox had trod on his foot.

Variants and Related Words

• Oxen (n): The standard plural form of "ox."
• Bovine (adj/n): Relating to cattle; a member of the cattle family.
• Steer (n): A young castrated male bovine, often raised for beef. An ox is typically an older, trained steer.

Synonyms

• Draft animal: An animal used for pulling heavy loads.
• Bullock: A term often used interchangeably with "ox," especially in British English, for a young castrated bull used for work.

Notes on Meaning

• The core modern meaning of "ox" centers on a castrated, trained work animal. It is not simply a synonym for a cow or bull.
• The zoological use for wild species (e.g., musk ox) is more specialized.
• The idiom involving the "black ox" is literary and rarely used in contemporary speech.

Noun

1. any of various wild bovines especially of the genera Bos or closely related Bibos
2. an adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus