calf

Etymology 1

From Middle English calf, kælf, kelf, from Old English cælf, ċealf; also cognate with German Kalb (“calf”), Dutch kalf (“calf”) and Danish kalv (“calf”), from Proto-Germanic *kalbaz, further etymology unknown.

noun

1. A young cow or bull.
2. Leather made of the skin of the calf; especially, a fine, light-coloured leather used in bookbinding.
3. A young deer, elephant, seal, whale or giraffe (also used of some other animals).
4. A chunk of ice broken from a larger glacier, ice shelf, or iceberg.
   1915 (published), 1848 (first written), Elisha Kent Kane, Adrift in the Arctic Ice Pack Our swell ceases with this wind, and the floes seem disposed to come together again; but the days of winter have passed by, and the interposing calves prevent the apposition of the edges
5. A small island, near a larger island.
   the Calf of Man
6. A cabless railroad engine.
7. (informal, dated) An awkward or silly boy or young man; any silly person; a dolt.

Etymology 2

From Middle English calf, kalf, from Old Norse kalfi, possibly derived from the same Germanic root as English calf (“young cow”) (above). Cognate with Icelandic kálfi (“calf of the leg”).

noun

1. (anatomy) The back of the leg below the knee.
2. The muscle in the back of the leg below the knee.
   Sure, his calves are a little weak, but the rest of his physique is so overwhelming, he should place high. 1988, Steve Holman, “Christian Conquers Columbus”, in Ironman, 47 (6): 28-34