calf

• Nom avec plusieurs sens : le petit d'une vache ou d'autres grands mammifères ; la partie charnue à l'arrière de la jambe ; ou la peau fine tannée à partir de la peau d'un veau.

A noun with multiple meanings: the young of domestic cattle or other large mammals; the muscular back part of the lower leg; or fine leather made from the skin of a calf.

pluriel irrégulier

1. Young of domestic cattleA1formal

   A young bovine animal, especially a domestic cow or bull, typically less than one year old.

   Jeune bovin

   • The farmer fed the newborn calf a bottle of milk.
   • A calf was grazing in the meadow beside its mother.
   • The herd included several calves born this spring.

2. Muscular back part of the shankA2formal

   The fleshy, muscular part at the back of the human leg between the knee and the ankle.

   Mollet

   • He strained his calf while running up the hill.
   • Stretching your calves can help prevent injuries.
   • She felt a sharp pain in her left calf after the workout.

   Synonymessura

3. Fine leather from the skin of a calfB1formal

   Soft, high-quality leather made from the hide of a young cow, often used for shoes, bags, and bookbinding.

   Cuir de veau

   • The wallet was made of genuine calf leather.
   • She bought a pair of elegant calfskin gloves.
   • The book was bound in dark brown calf.

   Synonymescalfskin

4. Young of various large placental mammalsB1formal

   The offspring of certain large mammals such as whales, giraffes, elephants, or buffaloes.

   Petit (d'un grand mammifère)

   • The whale calf swam close to its mother for protection.
   • A giraffe calf can stand within an hour of birth.
   • The elephant calf was playful and curious about its surroundings.