First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
ox
noun \ˈäks\
: a bull that has had its sex organs removed
: a cow or bull
plural ox·en \ˈäk-sən\ also ox
Full Definition of OX
1
: a domestic bovine mammal (Bos taurus); broadly : a bovine mammal
2
: an adult castrated male domestic ox
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Origin of OX
Middle English, from Old English oxa; akin to Old High German ohso ox, Sanskrit ukṣā bull, and perhaps to Sanskrit ukṣati he moistens, Greek hygros wet — more at humor
OXEN Defined for Kids
ox
noun \ˈäks\
plural ox·en \ˈäk-sən\ also ox
Definition of OX for Kids
1
: a male or female of common domestic cattle or a closely related animal (as a yak)
2
: an adult castrated male ox used especially for hauling loads
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