bovine

[boh-vahyn, -vin, -veen]

adjective

1. of or relating to the subfamily Bovinae, which includes cattle, buffalo, and kudus.

2. oxlike; cowlike.

3. stolid; dull.

noun

1. a bovine animal.

bovine

/ ˈbəʊvaɪn /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the Bovini (cattle), a bovid tribe including domestic cattle

2. (of people) dull; sluggish; stolid

noun

1. any animal belonging to the Bovini

bovine

1. Characteristic of or resembling cows or cattle.

Other Word Forms

• bovinely adverb
• bovinity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bovine¹

1810–20; < Late Latin bovīnus of, pertaining to oxen or cows, equivalent to Latin bov- (stem of bōs ) ox + -īnus -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of bovine¹

C19: from Late Latin bovīnus concerning oxen or cows, from Latin bōs ox, cow

Example Sentences

We’re pulled through the window and into the eye of the storm, where a cow spirals around like it wants to outdo the scene-stealing bovine from “Twister.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s simply inspired by breast milk, using liposomal bovine colostrum, honey and cream to mimic the so-called “liquid gold.”

From Salon

South Korea, which is the world’s top importer of American beef, currently bans beef from cattle that are older than 30 months on concerns it may introduce bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease.

From Los Angeles Times

American beef has effectively been banned from the country - which has some of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world - since 2003 after an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, commonly known as mad cow disease.

From BBC

Are the good people of Australia not scared by a herd of human bovine roaming the streets?

From BBC