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Animal vs Cow - What's the difference?

animal | cow |

As a noun animal

is in scientific usage, a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).

As an adjective animal

is of or relating to animals.

As an acronym cow is

(computing).

animal

English

(wikipedia animal)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m), a nominal use of an adjective from (m), neuter of (m), from ).

Noun

(en noun)
  • In scientific usage, a multicellular organism that is usually mobile, whose cells are not encased in a rigid cell wall (distinguishing it from plants and fungi) and which derives energy solely from the consumption of other organisms (distinguishing it from plants).
  • In non-scientific usage, any member of the kingdom Animalia other than a human being.
  • In non-scientific usage, any land-living vertebrate (i.e. not birds, fishes, insects etc.).
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author=(Henry Petroski)
  • , title= Geothermal Energy , volume=101, issue=4, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.}}
  • (figuratively) A person who behaves wildly; a bestial, brutal, brutish, cruel, or inhuman person.
  • (informal) A person of a particular type.
  • Synonyms
    * (organism) beast, creature * (non-human organism) beast * (person who behaves wildly) brute, monster, savage
    Hyponyms
    * See also

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) animalis, from either or animus. Originally distinct from the noun, it became associated with attributive use of the noun and is now indistinguishable from it.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of or relating to animals.
  • animal instincts
  • Raw, base, unhindered by social codes.
  • animal passions
  • Pertaining to the spirit or soul; relating to sensation or innervation.
  • * 2003', To explain what activated the flesh, ‘'''animal spirits’ were posited, superfine fluids which shuttled between the mind and the vitals, conveying messages and motion. — Roy Porter, ''Flesh in the Age of Reason (Penguin 2004, p. 47)
  • (slang, Ireland) Excellent.
  • Synonyms
    * (of animals) beastly, bestial * (unhindered by social codes) animalistic, beastly, bestial, untamed, wild
    Derived terms
    {{der3, animalistic , animal liberation , animal magnetism , manimal}}

    See also

    *

    Anagrams

    * * * * * * ----

    cow

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), (m), from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (wikipedia cow) (en-noun) (see usage notes)
  • A female domesticated ox or other bovine, especially an adult after she has had a calf.
  • More generally, any domestic bovine regardless of sex or age.
  • The meat of such animals as food (more commonly called beef).
  • The female of larger species of mammal, including bovines, moose, whales, seals, hippos, rhinos, manatees, and elephants.
  • (derogatory, informal) A woman who is considered despicable in some way, especially one considered to be fat, lazy, ugly, argumentative, mean or spiteful.
  • (informal) Anything that is annoyingly difficult, awkward or graceless.
  • That website is a real cow to navigate.
  • (informal) A conniption fit or hissy fit; a state of agitation .
  • (mining) A wedge or brake to stop a machine or car; a chock.
  • (Knight)
    Usage notes
    The plural cows is the normal plural for multiple individuals, while cattle is used in a more collective sense. The umlaut plurals ky, kye and kine are archaic and no longer in common use.
    Synonyms
    * bitch * bastard, bitch, bugger (UK)
    Antonyms
    * (female domesticated ox or other bovine) bull
    See also
    * (meat) chicken, pig, pork, goat, lamb, mutton
    Derived terms
    (terms derived from "cow") * cowboy * cow catcher, cowcatcher * cow corner * cowgirl * cowherd * cowmilk, cow milk * cowpoke * cowpool * cowpuncher * cowshed * cow shot * cow tipping * cash cow * have a cow * holy cow * sacred cow

    See also

    * * beef * bovine * bull * calf * cattle * heifer * steer * low * moo * ox * veal

    Etymology 2

    Probably from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.
  • Con artists are not cowed by the law.
  • * Shakespeare
  • To vanquish a people already cowed .

    Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (UK, dialect) A chimney cowl.
  • * 1836 , Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers ?
  • Who could live to gaze from day to day on bricks and slates, who had once felt the influence of a scene like this? Who could continue to exist, where there are no cows but the cows on the chimneypots; nothing redolent of Pan but pan-tiles;