poddy

A farmer feeds milk to a poddy calf in the barn.

Definition

1. Noun (Australian English):

   • A newborn calf or lamb: "poddy" refers to a young domestic animal, especially a calf or lamb, that has recently been born and is often hand-fed or bottle-fed.
   • An unbranded young animal: In Australian rural contexts, "poddy" can also denote a young animal that has not yet been marked with a brand or ear tag.

2. Adjective (informal, rare):

   • Small or young: Used descriptively to indicate something that is immature or undersized, typically in reference to animals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • The farmer brought the poddy into the barn for feeding. (A newborn calf that needs care.)
  • We have several poddies that haven't been branded yet. (Unmarked young animals on the property.)

• Adjective:

  • The poddy lamb was too weak to stand. (The young lamb was very small and fragile.)

Advanced Usage

• "Poddy calf": a specific term for a calf that is orphaned, rejected by its mother, or needs supplementary feeding.

  • The poddy calf drank the milk from a bottle eagerly. (The hand-fed calf consumed its meal quickly.)

• "Poddy feed": special milk or formula given to young animals.

  • The poddy feed must be prepared at the right temperature. (The milk replacer for calves needs careful preparation.)

Variants and Related Words

• Poddie (n): an alternative spelling of "poddy," used interchangeably in Australian English.

  • He raised the poddie on a bottle until it was weaned. (He cared for the young animal by hand.)

• Poddy-dodger (n, informal): a person who steals unbranded calves or livestock, often in a rural criminal context.

  • The police arrested a notorious poddy-dodger last week. (Someone who steals young unbranded animals.)

Synonyms

• Calf: a young cow or bull (specific to bovines).
• Lamb: a young sheep (specific to ovines).
• Suckling: a young animal that is still nursing from its mother.

Related Idioms

• "Poddy time": a colloquial Australian phrase referring to the daily routine of feeding young animals.

  • It's poddy time on the farm, so everyone heads to the barn. (The scheduled feeding session for calves.)

• "Like a poddy on a bottle": a simile meaning something or someone that is dependent or needy.

  • He clung to her like a poddy on a bottle. (He was very dependent on her support.)