bullock

Everyday

1. A young male cow that has been castrated (had its parts removed so it cannot father calves), usually raised for beef. tree →
2. (US) A young bull. tree →

In the lessons

In farm and geography lessons, bullocks are raised for meat or, in some countries (such as India), used to pull carts and ploughs. In stories, a bullock cart is an old or rural way to travel. It tells the reader we are on a farm.

Examples

• The farmer moved the bullocks to the top field. tree →
• A pair of bullocks pulled the heavy cart. tree →
• The bullock grazed quietly by the river. tree →
• In India, bullock carts carry crops to market. tree →
• The bullocks crowded round the water trough. tree →
• Grandad sold three bullocks at the market. tree →
• “We do not understand,” said the bullocks. tree →

Note

Countable: a bullock, bullocks. Farm words: a bull is an adult male that can father calves; a steer (US) or bullock (UK) is a castrated male; a cow is a female that has had a calf; a heifer is a young female. Do not confuse with «bollocks», a rude UK swear word.

In Jewish tradition

A young bull, used very often as an offering, such as a sin-offering or burnt-offering, for a priest or for the whole community.

Interpretation. The law of the bullock for a sin-offering is in Leviticus. The rabbis read it as a way to put right a mistake by the priest or by the community. Its blood was put on the altar, and the body was burned.

Examples

• one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; (Torah NUM.7.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, at the door of the tent of meeting. (Torah EXO.29.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the anointed priest shall bring of the blood of the bullock to the tent of meeting. (Torah LEV.4.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when the bullock was slain, the child was brought to Eli. (Prophets 1SA.1.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he-goats out of thy folds. (Writings PSA.50.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall please the LORD better than a bullock that hath horns and hoofs. (Writings PSA.69.32, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable: a bullock, bullocks. Farm words: a bull is an adult male that can father calves; a steer (US) or bullock (UK) is a castrated male; a cow is a female that has had a calf; a heifer is a young female. Do not confuse with «bollocks», a rude UK swear word.

Early Modern English

Meaning

A young male animal of the cattle family. tree →

Then and now

Today it usually means a castrated young bull. In these texts it means a young bull, as used for sacrifice.

Examples

• one young bullock, one ram, one he-lamb of the first year, for a burnt-offering; (Torah NUM.7.15, JPS 1917) tree →
• “We do not understand,” said the bullocks. (The Jungle Book) tree →
• And thou shalt kill the bullock before the LORD, at the door of the tent of meeting. (Torah EXO.29.11, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: young bull; steer.