Cow vs. Man — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 18, 2024
Cows are domesticated bovine farm animals known for their role in agriculture, providing milk, meat, and labor, whereas humans (man) are a species with advanced cognitive abilities and complex societies.
Difference Between Cow and Man
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Cows are herbivorous animals belonging to the Bovidae family, primarily raised for agricultural products like milk and meat, while humans are omnivorous beings, classified as Homo sapiens, known for their advanced brain functions and use of complex language.
In terms of anatomy, cows have a specialized digestive system with a four-chambered stomach to break down tough plant material, whereas humans have a simpler one-chambered stomach better suited for a varied diet.
Cows have a gestation period of about nine months, similar to humans, but unlike humans, they are usually bred systematically for agricultural purposes.
Cows live in herds and have a social structure primarily based on age and gender, while humans form complex societies with intricate social structures influenced by culture, economics, and personal relationships.
Lifespan differences are also notable; cows typically live for about 20 years under human care, whereas humans can live much longer, with life expectancies often exceeding 70 years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Classification
Bovidae family, herbivores
Homo sapiens, omnivores
Primary Use
Agriculture (milk, meat, labor)
Varied, including labor, intellectual pursuits
Digestive System
Four-chambered stomach, herbivorous diet
One-chambered stomach, varied diet
Social Structure
Herds, simple social roles
Complex societies, multiple social roles
Lifespan
About 20 years
Average 70-80 years, varies widely
Compare with Definitions
Cow
Informal. Something of great size.
That building is a real cow to clean.
Man
Human male.
The man walked his dog at the park every morning.
Cow
(British, informal) An unpleasant or disliked woman.
He left the party because he thought she was being a cow.
Man
Human beings in general; the human race.
Man has always been fascinated by the stars.
Cow
A mature female of other large animals.
The cow elephant leads the herd.
Man
Informal. A husband or lover.
She’s been with her man for ten years.
Cow
Leather made from the hide of a cow.
His new jacket is made of cow.
Man
A human being of either; a person.
She's a kind man who volunteers frequently.
Cow
A fully grown female animal of a domesticated breed of ox, used as a source of milk or beef.
The farmer milks several cows every morning.
Man
(Chess) Each of the pieces used by the players.
He moved his man closer to the king.
Cow
The mature female of cattle of the genus Bos.
Man
The human race; mankind
Man's quest for peace.
Cow
The mature female of certain other large animals, such as elephants, moose, or whales.
Man
A male human endowed with qualities, such as strength, considered characteristic of manhood.
Cow
To frighten or subdue with threats or a show of force.
Man
A husband.
Cow
(uncommon) Beef: the meat of cattle as food.
The only meat I eat is cow.
Man
A male lover or sweetheart.
Cow
(uncommon) Any bovines or bovids generally, including yaks, buffalo, etc.
Man
Workers.
Cow
(biology) A female member of other large species of mammal, including the bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
Man
Enlisted personnel of the armed forces
Officers and men.
Cow
A woman considered unpleasant in some way, particularly one considered nasty, stupid, fat, lazy, or difficult.
Man
A male representative, as of a country or company
Our man in Tokyo.
Cow
(mining) A chock: a wedge or brake used to stop a machine or car.
Man
A male servant or subordinate.
Cow
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
Con artists are not cowed by the law.
Man
(Informal) Used as a familiar form of address for a man
See here, my good man!.
Cow
The mature female of bovine animals.
Man
One who swore allegiance to a lord in the Middle Ages; a vassal.
Cow
The female of certain large mammals, as whales, seals, etc.
Man
(Games) Any of the pieces used in a board game, such as chess or checkers.
Cow
A chimney cap; a cowl
Man
(Nautical) A ship. Often used in combination
A merchantman.
A man-of-war.
Cow
A wedge, or brake, to check the motion of a machine or car; a chock.
Man
Often Man(Slang) A person or group felt to be in a position of power or authority. Used with the
"Their writing mainly concerns the street life—the pimp, the junky, the forces of drug addiction, exploitation at the hands of 'the man'" (Black World).
Cow
To depress with fear; to daunt the spirits or courage of; to overawe.
To vanquish a people already cowed.
THe French king was cowed.
Man
To supply with men, as for defense or service
Man a ship.
Cow
Female of domestic cattle:
`moo-cow' is a child's term
Man
To fortify or brace
Manned himself for the battle ahead.
Cow
Mature female of mammals of which the male is called `bull'
Man
Used as an expletive to indicate intense feeling
Man! That was close.
Cow
A large unpleasant woman
Man
(collective) All human males collectively: mankind.
Cow
Subdue, restrain, or overcome by affecting with a feeling of awe; frighten (as with threats)
Man
(collective) All humans collectively: mankind, humankind, humanity. Sometimes capitalized as Man.
Man
A member of the genus Homo, especially of the species Homo sapiens.
Man
Manliness; the quality or state of being manly.
Man
A husband.
Man
A male lover; a boyfriend.
Man
A male enthusiast or devotee; a male who is very fond of or devoted to a specified kind of thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
Some people prefer apple pie, but me, I’m a cherry pie man.
Man
A person, usually male, who has duties or skills associated with a specified thing. Used as the last element of a compound.
I wanted to be a guitar man on a road tour, but instead I’m a flag man on a road crew.
Man
A person, usually male, who can fulfill one's requirements with regard to a specified matter.
Man
A male who belongs to a particular group: an employee, a student or alumnus, a representative, etc.
Man
(historical) A vassal; a subject.
All the king's men
Man
A piece or token used in board games such as chess.
Man
(sports) A player on whom another is playing, with the intent of limiting their attacking impact.
Man
: I, we; construed in the third person.
Man
Any person, one
Man
To brace (oneself), to fortify or steel (oneself) in a manly way. Compare man up.
Man
To wait on, attend to or escort.
Man
To accustom (a raptor or other type of bird) to the presence of people.
Man
A human being; - opposed to beast.
These men went about wide, and man found they none,But fair country, and wild beast many [a] one.
The king is but a man, as I am; the violet smells to him as it doth to me.
'Tain't a fit night out for man nor beast!
Man
The human race; mankind.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion.
The proper study of mankind is man.
Man
The male portion of the human race.
Woman has, in general, much stronger propensity than man to the discharge of parental duties.
Man
One possessing in a high degree the distinctive qualities of manhood; one having manly excellence of any kind.
This was the noblest Roman of them all . . . the elementsSo mixed in him that Nature might stand upAnd say to all the world "This was a man!"
Man
A term of familiar address at one time implying on the part of the speaker some degree of authority, impatience, or haste; as, Come, man, we 've no time to lose! In the latter half of the 20th century it became used in a broader sense as simply a familiar and informal form of address, but is not used in business or formal situations; as, hey, man! You want to go to a movie tonight?.
Man
A married man; a husband; - correlative to wife.
I pronounce that they are man and wife.
Every wife ought to answer for her man.
Man
One, or any one, indefinitely; - a modified survival of the Saxon use of man, or mon, as an indefinite pronoun.
A man can not make him laugh.
A man would expect to find some antiquities; but all they have to show of this nature is an old rostrum of a Roman ship.
Man
One of the piece with which certain games, as chess or draughts, are played.
Man
To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or complement of men, as for management, service, defense, or the like; to guard; as, to man a ship, boat, or fort.
See how the surly Warwick mans the wall !
They man their boats, and all their young men arm.
Man
To furnish with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify.
Man
To tame, as a hawk.
Man
To furnish with a servant or servants.
Man
To wait on as a manservant.
Man
Someone who serves in the armed forces; a member of a military force;
Two men stood sentry duty
Man
The generic use of the word to refer to any human being;
It was every man for himself
Man
All of the inhabitants of the earth;
All the world loves a lover
She always used `humankind' because `mankind' seemed to slight the women
Man
Any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae
Man
A male subordinate;
The chief stationed two men outside the building
He awaited word from his man in Havana
Man
A male person who plays a significant role (husband or lover or boyfriend) in the life of a particular woman;
She takes good care of her man
Man
A manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer;
Jeeves was Bertie Wooster's man
Man
One of the British Isles in the Irish Sea
Man
Game equipment consisting of an object used in playing certain board games;
He taught me to set up the men on the chess board
He sacrificed a piece to get a strategic advantage
Man
Take charge of a certain job; occupy a certain work place;
Mr. Smith manned the reception desk in the morning
Man
Provide with men;
We cannot man all the desks
Common Curiosities
Can cows be found worldwide?
Yes, cows are raised globally in various climates and settings for agricultural purposes.
How do reproductive strategies differ between cows and humans?
Cows are often bred through controlled breeding programs to enhance traits like milk production, whereas humans have more varied and personal reproductive strategies.
What are the primary products obtained from cows?
Primary products include milk, beef, and leather.
What is the significance of the lifespan differences between cows and humans?
Lifespan differences reflect different biological and healthcare advancements; humans can live longer due to complex medical and social care systems.
How are cows important to human economies?
Cows contribute significantly to agricultural economies through dairy and meat production.
How do the cognitive abilities of cows compare to humans?
Humans have far superior cognitive abilities, enabling complex thought, problem solving, and language use.
How have humans domesticated cows?
Humans have selectively bred cows for thousands of years to enhance traits like milk production and docility.
What are some of the social structures seen in human societies?
Human social structures include families, communities, and nations, influenced by economic, cultural, and legal factors.
What ethical considerations arise in the treatment of cows by humans?
Ethical considerations include the conditions in which cows are kept, their treatment during life, and humane methods of slaughtering.
What role do cows play in ecosystems?
In ecosystems, cows can impact the environment through grazing and are also used in managing grasslands and recycling nutrients.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Catalogue vs. Inventory
Next Comparison
Mortgage vs. NoteAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
