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bœuf. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
bœuf, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
bœuf in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
bœuf you have here. The definition of the word
bœuf will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
bœuf, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
French
Alternative forms
Etymology
Inherited from Middle French bœuf, from Old French buef, boef, from Latin bovem (“ox”), from Proto-Italic *gʷōs, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *gʷṓws (compare English cow).
The music sense derives from the expression “faire un Bœuf”, after the Parisian cabaret-bar Le Bœuf sur le toit where jam sessions were held.
Pronunciation
Noun
bœuf m (plural bœufs)
- ox
- bullock, steer
- beef
- (music) jam session
- faire un bœuf ― to have a jam session
- (Quebec, slang, derogatory) a police officer; a pig
1996, Chrystine Brouillet, C'est pour mieux t'aimer, mon enfant, →ISBN, page 79:"T’as peut-être fait quelque chose de croche. Si toi tu le sais pas, les bœufs le savent, eux."- "Maybe you did something wrong. Even if you don't know, the pigs will."
Derived terms
Related terms
Descendants
References
- ^ Daniella Thompson (2017 February 7 (last accessed)) “How the Ox got its name, and other Parisian legends”, in The Boeuf chronicles, Pt. 5
Further reading
Middle French
Etymology
From Old French buef, boef, from Latin bos, bovem.
Noun
bœuf m (plural bœufs)
- ox (animal)