calve

• Verbe désignant la mise bas d'un veau (pour une vache) ou, par extension, le détachement d'un bloc de glace d'un glacier ou d'un iceberg.

A verb used to indicate the act of giving birth to a calf (for cows) or, in a figurative sense, the breaking off of a mass of ice from a glacier or iceberg.

1. Release iceC1formalscientific

   To break off a mass of ice from a glacier or iceberg, forming smaller icebergs.

   Vêler (glaciologie)

   • The glacier calved a massive iceberg into the ocean.
   • Scientists observed the glacier calving during the expedition.
   • Warm temperatures cause glaciers to calve more frequently.

2. B2formal

   To give birth to a calf, typically used for cows, whales, and other large mammals.

   Vêler

   • The cow is expected to calve in the spring.
   • The whale calved in the warm waters of the bay.
   • Farmers monitor their pregnant cows closely when they are about to calve.