好词典

heifer

UK //ˈhef.ər//US //ˈhef.ɚ//

词源

源自古英语hēahfore,由hēah(高的)和faro(母牛)组成,可能与动物体型有关。

noun

❶ 指未生育过的小母牛,通常指一岁到两岁之间尚未产犊的年轻母牛,区别于成年母牛(cow)。

“The farmer bought a young heifer to expand his dairy herd.”

(农夫买了一头小母牛来扩大他的奶牛群。)

“A heifer will usually have her first calf at about two years of age.”

(小母牛通常在两岁左右产下第一头小牛。)

同义词:young cow, female calf, maiden cow

常见短语

golden heifer — 比喻指极有价值或令人垂涎的事物,源自圣经中金牛犊的典故。

“The new tech startup became the golden heifer that all investors wanted a piece of.”

(这家新科技创业公司成了所有投资者都想分一杯羹的金牛犊。)