Calf vs. Calve — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 25, 2023
"Calf" is a noun referring to a young bovine or the lower back part of the leg, while "calve" is a verb meaning to give birth to a calf or the breaking off of a chunk of ice from a glacier.
Difference Between Calf and Calve
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Key Differences
Calf is a noun that primarily denotes a young bovine animal, particularly a domestic cow or bull in its first year. Calve, on the other hand, is a verb. It refers to the process of a cow giving birth to a calf. This difference in grammatical function distinguishes these words in usage.
calf relates to human anatomy, where it describes the muscular back part of the lower leg below the knee. Contrarily, calve can also describe a natural phenomenon in which a glacier, iceberg, or ice shelf loses a mass of ice, a process known as calving.
calf originates from Old English 'cælf', linked to Germanic languages. Calve derives from the same root but specifically evolved to describe the action associated with a calf, emphasizing its verb form.
Calf is used in various contexts, from agriculture to fashion (as in calf leather). In contrast, calve is primarily used in agricultural and environmental contexts, such as dairy farming and discussions about climate change's impact on glaciers.
Calf is a common term in everyday language, while calve is more specialized, often used in specific contexts like animal husbandry or earth sciences.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Verb
Primary Meaning
A young bovine
To give birth to a calf
Secondary Meaning
Back part of the lower leg
To break off a chunk of ice from a glacier
Context of Use
General, agriculture, anatomy
Agriculture, environmental science
Etymology
Old English 'cælf', related to Germanic languages
Derived from 'calf', indicating an action
Compare with Definitions
Calf
Young Bovine: A young domestic cow or bull.
The farmer's new calf was frolicking in the field.
Calve
Animal Birthing: To give birth to a calf (cow).
The cow is expected to calve next month.
Calf
Human Anatomy: The fleshy part of the back of the human leg below the knee.
He exercises regularly to strengthen his calf muscles.
Calve
Agricultural Term: Used in farming to describe a cow giving birth.
The dairy farmer has experience with cows calving.
Calf
Leather Type: Leather made from the hide of a calf.
Her luxurious handbag was made of fine calf leather.
Calve
Environmental Change Indicator: A sign of environmental changes in polar regions.
Increased calving rates indicate warming climates.
Calf
Young of Other Species: Young of various other large mammals.
We spotted an elephant calf during our safari.
Calve
Ice Breaking: A large piece of ice breaking away from an ice shelf.
Scientists observed the shelf calve into the sea.
Calf
Printing Press Component: A part of a printing press.
The calf of the press needed repair for smoother operation.
Calve
Glacier Process: When a glacier or iceberg loses a chunk of ice.
The glacier calved a huge iceberg into the ocean.
Calf
A calf (plural calves) is a young domestic cow or bull. Calves are reared to become adult cattle or are slaughtered for their meat, called veal, and hide.
Calve
To give birth to a calf.
Calf
A young cow or bull.
Calve
To break at an edge, so that a portion separates. Used of a glacier or iceberg.
Calf
One of the young of certain other mammals, such as moose, elephants, or whales.
Calve
To give birth to (a calf).
Calf
Calfskin leather.
Calve
To set loose (a mass of ice). Used of a glacier or iceberg.
Calf
A large floating chunk of ice split off from a glacier, iceberg, or floe.
Calve
(intransitive) to give birth to a calf
Calf
An awkward, callow youth.
Calve
(intransitive) to assist in a cow's giving birth to a calf
Calf
The fleshy muscular back part of the human leg between the knee and ankle.
Calve
(transitive) to give birth to (a calf)
Calf
A young cow or bull.
Calve
To shed a large piece, e.g. an iceberg or a smaller block of ice (coming off an iceberg)
The glacier was starting to calve even as we watched.
Calf
Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine, light-coloured leather used in bookbinding.
Calve
To break off
The sea was dangerous because of icebergs calving off the nearby glacier.
When an iceberg breaks off from a large ice shelf along an existing fissure, it looks like a large, flat rectangle. Typically, only 10 percent of an iceberg is visible above the water. As it calved, the iceberg may have been smooth and flat underneath, but ocean currents would have quickly changed it.
Calf
A young deer, elephant, seal, whale or giraffe also used of some other animals.
Calve
To shed (a large piece, e.g. an iceberg); to set loose (a mass of ice), e.g. a block of ice (coming off an iceberg)
The glacier was starting to calve an iceberg even as we watched.
Calf
A chunk of ice broken from a larger glacier, ice shelf, or iceberg.
Calve
To bring forth a calf.
Calf
A small island, near a larger island.
The Calf of Man
Calve
To bring forth young; to produce offspring.
Canst thou mark when the hinds do calve?
The grassy clods now calved.
Calf
A cabless railroad engine.
Calve
To throw off fragments which become icebergs; - said of a glacier.
Calf
An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a dolt.
Calve
Release ice;
The icebergs and glaciers calve
Calf
(anatomy) The back of the leg below the knee.
Calve
Birth;
The whales calve at this time of year
Calf
The muscle in the back of the leg below the knee.
Calf
The young of the cow, or of the Bovine family of quadrupeds. Also, the young of some other mammals, as of the elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, and whale.
Calf
Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine, light-colored leather used in bookbinding; as, to bind books in calf.
Calf
An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a dolt.
Some silly, doting, brainless calf.
Calf
A small island near a larger; as, the Calf of Man.
Calf
A small mass of ice set free from the submerged part of a glacier or berg, and rising to the surface.
Calf
The fleshy hinder part of the leg below the knee.
Calf
Young of domestic cattle
Calf
The muscular back part of the shank
Calf
Fine leather from the skin of a calf
Calf
Young of various large placental mammals e.g. whale or giraffe or elephant or buffalo
Common Curiosities
How is 'calf' used in human anatomy?
In anatomy, 'calf' refers to the muscular back part of the lower leg.
What is a calf?
A calf is a young bovine or the lower part of the leg behind the shin.
What does calve mean?
Calve is a verb meaning to give birth to a calf or the breaking off of ice from a glacier.
Is calving only related to cows?
No, calving also refers to ice masses breaking off from glaciers or icebergs.
Why is calving significant in environmental studies?
Calving is significant as it indicates changes in climate and glacier health.
What is a calving glacier?
A glacier that loses ice masses into the ocean is a calving glacier.
What industries use the term 'calf' frequently?
Agriculture, fashion, and fitness industries commonly use the term 'calf'.
How do farmers prepare for a cow to calve?
Farmers ensure a safe, clean environment and monitor the cow's health closely.
Can 'calf' be used for animals other than cows?
Yes, 'calf' can refer to young elephants, whales, and other large mammals.
Are there different types of calf leather?
Yes, calf leather can vary in quality and is used in luxury goods.
Is calf muscle important for athletes?
Yes, strong calf muscles are crucial for many athletes for stability and movement.
Can 'calf' refer to a part of a machine?
Yes, in certain contexts, 'calf' can refer to a component of machinery like a printing press.
How does calving affect marine life?
Calving can create new habitats and affect ocean currents, impacting marine life.
Can 'calve' be used in a metaphorical sense?
Rarely, but it can metaphorically describe breaking away or separating.
Is calf-rearing important in dairy farming?
Yes, calf-rearing is vital for maintaining a productive and healthy dairy herd.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
