Tup
/tʌp/noun
A male sheep, especially an uncastrated ram; as a verb, to mate with a ewe.
Did you know?Rams held ritual significance in several ancient cultures, including Egypt, where ram-headed deities such as Amun were associated with fertility and generative power, though this symbolism is not the word’s direct origin.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*tuppō
“A ram or male sheep; the exact prehistoric form is reconstructed and its deeper origin is uncertain.”
Old English
Old English
tuppa
“A ram or male sheep.”
Middle English
Middle English
tup
“A male sheep, particularly a breeding ram.”
16th Century
English
tup
“A ram; also used as a verb meaning to cover or mate with a ewe.”
Modern English
English
tup
“A male sheep, or to mate with a ewe; chiefly regional or agricultural usage.”