cattle

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Informal

n. a rude way to describe a large group of people who are treated like animals or who do not think for themselves.

n. a derogatory metaphor for humans perceived as mindless, submissive, or easily led, often used in political or social critiques.

“The commuters were packed into the train like cattle during the morning rush.”

“The dictator viewed the citizens as mere cattle, useful only for their labour and easily manipulated by state-controlled media.”

C2 · Proficiency Slang · British English · Vulgar

v. to break, ruin, or destroy something.

v. to break or ruin; derived from the Cockney rhyming slang 'cattle truck', which rhymes with a common vulgarity.

“I dropped my phone on the pavement and now it is completely cattled.”

“The engine is absolutely cattled after that long journey, and the mechanic says it will cost a fortune to replace.”

C2 · Proficiency Plural noun Archaic · Dialect

n. an old word for other farm animals like sheep, pigs, or goats.

n. a historical or dialectal use referring to livestock in general, including sheep, swine, or goats.

“In the old stories, the word cattle referred to all the animals on the farm.”

“The historical document lists the tenant's small cattle, specifically referring to the flock of goats kept for milk production.”