calve

2 definitions found

calve - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Calve \Calve\ (k[aum]v), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Calved 3; p. pr.
     & vb. n. Calving.] [AS. cealfian. See Calf.]
     1. To bring forth a calf. "Their cow calveth." --Job xxi. 10.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To bring forth young; to produce offspring.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? --Job
                                                    xxxix. 1.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              The grassy clods now calved.          --Molton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Phys. Geog.) To throw off fragments which become
        icebergs; -- said of a glacier.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

calve - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  calve
      v 1: release ice; "The icebergs and glaciers calve" [syn:
           calve, break up]
      2: birth; "the whales calve at this time of year" [syn: calve,
         have young]