Cow Definition
To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of. Found primarily in the passive voice.
(computing) Acronym of copy-on-write.
- To become amazed, angered, or upset:
He had a cow when he saw the mess we made.
- For a very long time; indefinitely:
They could argue till the cows come home and still not reach an agreement.
- to become very agitated or angry
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Cow
- have a cow
- till the cows come home
- have a cow
Origin of Cow
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From Middle English cou, cu, from Old English cū (“cow”), from Proto-Germanic *kūz (“cow”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (“cow”). Cognate with Scots coo (“cow”), North Frisian ko, kø (“cow”), Eastern Frisian ku (“cow”), West Frisian ko (“cow”), Dutch koe (“cow”), Low German Koh, Koo, Kau (“cow”), German Kuh (“cow”), Swedish ko (“cow”), Norwegian ku (“cow”), Icelandic kýr (“cow”), Latin bōs (“ox, bull, cow”), Armenian կով (kov).
From Wiktionary
Probably from Old Norse kúga (“to oppress”) (whence also Danish and Norwegian kue, Swedish kuva); compare Icelandic kúfa (“to set on top”).
From Wiktionary
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Middle English cou from Old English cū gwou- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Probably of Scandinavian origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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