What is the difference between cows and cattle?

VaMainer

Cows are female, cattle is a gender-neutral term Jul 14 06, 12:39 PM

Brainyblonde

Cow The mature female of cattle of the genus Bos. The mature female of other large animals, such as whales, elephants, or moose. A domesticated bovine of either sex or any age. Cattle Any of various chiefly domesticated mammals of the genus Bos, including cows, steers, bulls, and oxen, often raised for meat and dairy products. Humans, especially when viewed contemptuously or as a mob. Bovine Of, relating to, or resembling a ruminant mammal of the genus Bos, such as an ox, cow, or buffalo. Sluggish, dull, and stolid. http://dictionary.reference.com/ Jul 14 06, 12:41 PM

libgurl2002

Cows are female cattle and cattle is the whole herd. Jul 15 06, 10:22 AM

What-A-Mess

cat·tle n. 1. Any of various chiefly domesticated mammals of the genus Bos, including cows, steers, bulls, and oxen, often raised for meat and dairy products. 2. Humans, especially when viewed contemptuously or as a mob. cow n. 1. The mature female of cattle of the genus Bos. 2. The mature female of other large animals, such as whales, elephants, or moose. 3. A domesticated bovine of either sex or any age. The last definition of cow is a "general usage" term. This is not a "proper" definition. Just as "ain't" is in the dictionary yet follows no rules of the language beyond accepted usage. Dictionary.com Jul 15 06, 12:17 PM

Baloo55th

French has laid-down rules (by the Academie), which most French speakers ignore in everyday use. English has no laid-down rules. Any grammar book, or Plain English and so on are merely descriptive rather than prescriptive. (Similarly in English law, the Common Law section has no laid-down rules, but is the result of centuries of doing it that way. Unlike Statute Law, which is laid down by Parliament. They haven't decided to lay down the law about language - yet.) Jul 15 06, 3:12 PM

What-A-Mess

follows no "rules" of the English...... Jul 15 06, 3:34 PM

What-A-Mess

.....follows no "rules" of the language...... Jul 15 06, 3:35 PM

What-A-Mess

Ya see! I can not even follow the rules! Jul 15 06, 3:35 PM