Beef1, n.
n. [Fr. bœuf, ox, beef (flesh), from Lat. bos, bovis, ox, Gr. βούς, gen. βόος; Pr. bou, It. bue, Sp. buey, Pg. boy, boi.] 1. An animal of the genus Bos, especially the common species, B. taurus, including the bull, cow, and ox, in their full-grown state. [In this, which is the original sense, the word has a plural, beeves.] “A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine.” Milton. 1, neck; 2, shaking-piece; 3, chine; 4, ribs; 5, clod; 6, brisket; 7, flank; 8, loin, sirloin; 9, rump; 10, round; 11, leg; 12, foot; 13, udder; 14, shin; 15, cheek. 2. The flesh of an ox, bull, or cow, or of bovine animals generally, when killed. [In this sense, the word has no plural.] Give them great meals of beef. Shak.
