bovine
UK: ˈbəʊ.vaɪn | US: ˈboʊ.vaɪn
adj. relating to or resembling cattle or oxen
adj. (figuratively) slow, dull, or stolid in manner
n. an animal of the cattle group (e.g., cows, buffalo)
The word "bovine" traces back to Latin bos (genitive bovis), meaning "ox" or "cow." The suffix -ine (Latin -inus) denotes "pertaining to," forming adjectives. Over time, "bovine" expanded beyond literal cattle references to describe human traits metaphorically—evoking the slow, placid nature of cows. The root bov- appears in related terms like "bovinity" (cow-like quality) and "bovidae" (the biological family including cattle).
The farmer specialized in bovine genetics to improve milk production.
His bovine expression revealed no reaction to the shocking news.
The zoo’s bovine enclosure housed bison and yaks.
She criticized the bureaucracy’s bovine pace in addressing the issue.
Bovine diseases like mad cow can have severe agricultural impacts.