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# calve

verb (calve, calves, calved, calving)

«calve» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (of a cow, whale, elephant and some other animals) To give birth to a calf. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#m1)
2. (of a glacier or iceberg) To have a big piece of ice break off and fall into the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#m2)

### In the lessons

In farm and science lessons, cows calve in spring on many farms. In geography and climate lessons, glaciers calve when chunks break off and become icebergs, a sight shown in films about Antarctica, Greenland and Alaska.

### Examples

- The cow is due to calve next week. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x1)
- Most of the cows calved in March. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x2)
- The glacier calved a huge iceberg into the sea. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x3)
- We watched a video of ice calving into the ocean. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x4)
- Elephants calve about every four or five years. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x5)
- The farmer stayed up all night while the cow calved. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x6)
- As soon as they have calved, I shall sell the calves. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/#x7)

### Note

Regular verb: calved, calving. Trap: «calves» is both the verb («the cow calves») and the plural of «calf» (baby cows, or the backs of your lower legs). Said «kahv» (UK) or «kav» (US); the l is silent.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Job and Psalms, the calving of the hinds is a wonder only God knows and controls. Tradition reads this as showing His hidden care for all creatures. In the primary lessons: In farm and science lessons, cows calve in spring on many farms. In geography and climate lessons, glaciers calve when chunks break off and become icebergs, a sight shown in films about Antarctica, Greenland and Alaska.

### Examples

- Or canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? (Writings JOB.39.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/calve/#x1)
- The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and strippeth the forests bare; and in His temple all say: 'Glory.' (Writings PSA.29.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/calve/#x2)

### Note

Regular verb: calved, calving. Trap: «calves» is both the verb («the cow calves») and the plural of «calf» (baby cows, or the backs of your lower legs). Said «kahv» (UK) or «kav» (US); the l is silent.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «calve» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/calve/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«calve» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/calve.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «calve» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/C/calve/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«calve» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/calve.html) on Mova free.