Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Cattle?

\Cat"tle\ (k[a^]t"t'l), n. pl. [OE. calet, chatel, goods, property, OF. catel, chatel, LL. captale, capitale, goods, property, esp. cattle, fr. L. capitals relating to the head, chief; because in early ages beasts constituted the chief part of a man's property. See {Capital}, and cf. {Chattel}.] Quadrupeds of the Bovine family; sometimes, also, including all domestic quadrupeds, as sheep, goats, horses, mules, asses, and swine. {Belted cattle}, {Black cattle}. See under {Belted}, {Black}. {Cattle guard}, a trench under a railroad track and alongside a crossing (as of a public highway). It is intended to prevent cattle from getting upon the track. {cattle louse} (Zo["o]l.), any species of louse infecting cattle. There are several species. The {H[ae]matatopinus eurysternus} and {H. vituli} are common species which suck blood; {Trichodectes scalaris} eats the hair. {Cattle plague}, the rinderpest; called also {Russian cattle plague}. {Cattle range}, or {Cattle run}, an open space through which cattle may run or range. [U. S.] --Bartlett. {Cattle show}, an exhibition of domestic animals with prizes for the encouragement of stock breeding; -- usually accompanied with the exhibition of other agricultural and domestic products and of implements.