aurochs

views updated May 18 2018

au·rochs / ˈouräks; ˈôˌräks/ • n. (pl. same) a large wild Eurasian ox (Bos taurus) that was the ancestor of domestic cattle. It was probably exterminated in Britain in the Bronze Age. Also called urus.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

aurochs

views updated Jun 27 2018

aurochs (urus) Extinct European wild ox, the long-horned ancestor of modern domesticated cattle. Once found throughout the forests of Europe and central and se Asia, it became extinct in 1627. A dark, shaggy animal, it stood up to 2m (7ft) tall at the shoulder. Family Bovidae; species Bos primigenius.

World Encyclopedia

aurochs

views updated May 14 2018

aurochs a large wild Eurasian ox that was the ancestor of domestic cattle. It was probably exterminated in Britain in the Bronze Age, and the last one was killed in Poland in 1627.

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES

aurochs

views updated May 23 2018

aurochs extinct wild ox XVIII; European bison XIX. — G., early var. of auerochs (OHG. ūrohso, f. ūr = OE. ūr, of unkn. orig. + ohso ox).

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

aurochs

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like