ENGLISH
REFERENCE

bovine

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˈboʊˌvaɪn// UK //bˈəʊvaɪn// bovine

adj. relating to cows or oxen. It can also describe a person who seems slow, calm, and perhaps a bit dull.

adj. relating to or affecting cattle; by extension, describes a person who is slow-moving, placid, or dull-witted.


SIMPLE

The scientist studied bovine diseases on the farm.

CONTEXTUAL

The farmer implemented new safety measures to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis among his herd.

COMPLEX

The protagonist was described as having a bovine expression, suggesting a lack of intellectual curiosity and a slow, methodical approach to the crisis unfolding around him.

Synonyms
Origin

PIE word *gʷṓws Borrowed from Late Latin bovīnus (“relating to cattle”), from Latin bōs (“ox”). Cognate to beef.

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun; when applied to humans, it often carries a mildly derogatory nuance.

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