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While trying to improve my english vocabulary I discovered the verb meaning of the word cow. I dont have access to any etymological dictionaries so I was wondering if anyone here knows the origin of this meaning. Was verb usage in common use before the noun meaning? I think I would get a cock-eyed look from my peers if I used it in the verb sense but I might try to add it my colloquial speech. It's fun to find words like this, does anyone have more examples of words like "cow?"
-john
While trying to improve my english vocabulary I discovered the verb meaning of the word cow. I dont have access to any etymological dictionaries so I was wondering if anyone here knows the origin of this meaning. Was verb usage in common use before the noun meaning? I think I would get a cock-eyed look from my peers if I used it in the verb sense but I might try to add it my colloquial speech. It's fun to find words like this, does anyone have more examples of words like "cow?"
-john
Hi, John - and welcome!
Actually, you do have access to etymological dictionaries! Here's what one says about cow (as both a noun and a verb).
I'm sure there are quite a few English words which have both noun and verb forms. Off the top of my head, here are a few you can start with: run, hit, view, contact, leaf, and record. Or are you looking specifically for animal names which also have verb forms?
Yes, the Online Etymology Dictionary is one of my favorites, also; it has a place of honor in my Frequent-Access bookmarks folder.
Lessee, animal names that are verbs. Crow, bull, fish (in at least three senses), worm, rat, porpoise, monkey, dog, bird-dog, hare, rabbit, fox, chicken, possibly ram (or maybe that's an animal named after a verb), eel, horse, skunk. And of course cow. No doubt there are dozens more I can't think of right now.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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