Calve
/kæv/noun
To give birth to a calf, typically used in reference to cattle.
Did you know?In some ancient cultures, the act of calving was considered a sacred event, symbolizing fertility and the cycles of life, connecting humans to the divine.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gʰel-
“to shine, to glow, or to call forth.”
Old English
Old English
cealf
“a young bovine, specifically a young cow.”
Middle English
Middle English
calf
“a calf; also used in some contexts for a young human.”
14th Century
Middle English
calven
“to give birth to a calf, a verb form indicating the action.”
Modern English
English
calve
“to give birth to a calf; the modern verb form used today.”