bovine

1 of 2

adjective

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn  -ˌvēn 

1

: of, relating to, or resembling bovines and especially the ox or cow

a bovine disease

2

: having qualities (such as placidity or dullness) characteristic of oxen or cows

had a stupid, bovine expression on his face

bovinely adverb

bovinity

bō-ˈvi-nə-tē 

noun

bovine

2 of 2

noun

biology : any of a subfamily (Bovinae) of bovids including oxen, bison, buffalo, and their close relatives

Did you know?

Bovine comes from the Latin word for "cow", though the biological family called the Bovidae actually includes not only cows and oxen but also goats, sheep, bison, and buffalo. So bovine is often used technically, when discussing "bovine diseases", "bovine anatomy", and so on. It can also describe a human personality, though it can be a rather unkind way to describe someone. When Hera, the wife of Zeus, is called "cow-eyed", though, it's definitely a compliment, and Zeus fairly melts when she turns those big bovine eyes on him.

Examples of bovine in a Sentence

Adjective

She stared at us with a stupid, bovine expression.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Does taking bovine colostrum powder have health benefits? —Victoria Moorhouse, Allure, 23 Sep. 2024

Take note, these softgels are not vegetarian or vegan, since they’re made from bovine gelatin. —Allison Knott, Ms, Rdn, Cssd, Health, 26 Sep. 2024

Noun

Lately, proponents of the cull have pointed to a 2023 study by researchers from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which seemed to show a reduction in bovine tuberculosis. —Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025

The process was named after French chemist and microbiologist Louis Pasteur, who refined the process to use in alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine, later adapting the method to milk as a way to remove bovine tuberculosis in the US and Europe in the early 1900s. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Late Latin bovinus, from Latin bov-, bos ox, cow — more at cow

First Known Use

Adjective

1721, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bovine

• bovine spongiform encephalopathy

Kids Definition

bovine

1 of 2 adjective

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn 

-ˌvēn

1

: of, relating to, or resembling the bovines and especially the ox or cow

2

: slow-moving or patient like an ox or cow

bovine

2 of 2 noun

: any of a group of ruminant mammals including the oxen, bison, and buffalo that have hollow horns and are related to the sheep and goats

Medical Definition

bovine

noun

bo·​vine ˈbō-ˌvīn  -ˌvēn 

: an ox (genus Bos) or a closely related animal

bovine adjective