Leather vs. Cowhide — What's the Difference?

Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators.Leather can be used to make a variety of items, including clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools and sports equipment, and lasts for decades.

Cowhide is the natural, unbleached skin and hair of a cow. It retains the original coloring of the animal.

A material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process

The hide of a cow.

A piece of leather as a polishing cloth.

The leather made from this hide.

Short for stirrup leather

A strong heavy flexible whip, usually made of braided leather.

Beat or thrash (someone)

To beat with a strong heavy flexible whip.

The dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

(countable) A hide of a cow.

Any of various articles or parts made of dressed or tanned hide, such as a boot or strap.

(uncountable) Any quantity of hides of cows.

The flap of a dog's ear.

(uncountable) Leather made from the hide of cows.

To cover wholly or in part with the dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

A coarse whip made of untanned leather.

(Informal) To beat with a strap made of hide.

(transitive) To flog with a cowhide.

Made of, relating to, or resembling dressed or tanned animal hide.

The hide of a cow.

(Slang) Of or relating to the wearing of leather, or patronized by people who wear leather, especially as a sexual fetish

Leather made of the hide of a cow.

A tough material produced from the skin of animals, by tanning or similar process, used e.g. for clothing.

A coarse whip made of untanned leather.

A piece of the above used for polishing.

To flog with a cowhide.

(colloquial) A cricket ball or football.

Leather made from the hide of a cow

(plural: leathers) clothing made from the skin of animals, often worn by motorcycle riders.

The hide of a cow

(baseball) A good defensive play

A heavy flexible whip made of braided cowhide

(boxing) A punch.

Flog with a cowhide

The skin.

Made of leather.

Referring to one who wears leather clothing (motorcycle jacket, chaps over 501 jeans, boots), especially as a sign of sadomasochistic homosexuality.

(transitive) To cover with leather.

(transitive) To strike forcefully.

(transitive) To spank or beat with a leather belt or strap.

The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, with the hair removed, and tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.

The skin.

To beat, as with a thong of leather.

Of, pertaining to or made of leather; consisting of leather; as, a black leather jacket.

An animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning