water-buffalo
- Noun:
- A large domesticated Asian bovine: "water-buffalo" refers to a large, powerful mammal (Bubalus bubalis) commonly found in tropical regions of Asia, used for milk, meat, and as a draft animal. It is distinguished by its long, curved horns and affinity for water.
- Noun:
- The farmer used a water-buffalo to plow the rice paddy. (A large bovine used for agricultural work in wet fields.)
- Water-buffalo milk is richer in fat than cow's milk, making it ideal for cheese production. (Milk from this animal is prized for its creamy content.)
"to work like a water-buffalo": to labor very hard, often in difficult conditions.
- He worked like a water-buffalo in the fields from dawn to dusk. (He labored tirelessly and with great endurance.)
"water-buffalo" as a symbol: In many Asian cultures, the water-buffalo represents strength, patience, and agricultural prosperity.
- In traditional art, the water-buffalo is a symbol of rural life and hard work. (It embodies the virtues of the farming community.)
Water-buffalo calf (n): a young water-buffalo.
- The water-buffalo calf stayed close to its mother in the muddy pond. (The baby animal followed its parent.)
Water-buffalo hide (n): the skin of a water-buffalo, often used for leather.
- They made sturdy shoes from water-buffalo hide. (Leather from this animal is durable and thick.)
- Asian buffalo: another term for the water-buffalo, emphasizing its geographic origin.
- Bubalus bubalis: the scientific name for the species.
- Carabao: a specific breed of water-buffalo found in the Philippines.
"Strong as a water-buffalo": extremely physically powerful.
- He is strong as a water-buffalo, able to lift heavy loads easily. (He possesses great strength.)
"Muddy as a water-buffalo wallow": very dirty or messy, referring to the animal's habit of rolling in mud.
- After the rain, the yard was as muddy as a water-buffalo wallow. (The ground was extremely wet and muddy.)
Note: No common phrasal verbs exist for "water-buffalo" as a noun. However, in figurative use: - "Buffalo into": (rare) to force someone to work like a water-buffalo; to drive hard. - He was buffaloed into working overtime without pay. (He was coerced or pressured heavily.)