bovo-, bov-, bos-

A vaccine for cattle against tuberculosis; specifically, the vaccine of E. von Behring, a German bacteriologist (1854-1917).

1. A reference to musk oxen.
2. Having characteristics intermediate between those of sheep and oxen; such as, a musk ox.

1. An adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus.
2. Used chiefly as a draft animal (an animal or team of animals used to pull loads).
3. A male or female bovine animal, especially one belonging to a domestic breed.
4. An insulting term for omeone who is regarded as unintelligent and clumsy; especially, someone who is physically large.
5. Etymology: from Indo-European, Germanic, Old English, Middle English, and into Modern English.

The castrated male is called a steer until it attains its full growth, and then, an ox; but if castrated somewhat late in life, it is called a stag. The male, not castrated, is called a bull.

These distinctions are well established in regard to domestic animals of this genus. When wild animals of this kind are spoken of, ox is often applied both to the male and the female.

The name ox is never applied to the individual cow, or female, of the domestic kind. Oxen may include both the male and the female of the species.