BEEF, noun [Latin bos, bovis; Gr.Bous.] 1. An animal of the bovine genus, whether ox, bull or cow; but used of those which are full grown or nearly so. In this, which is the original sense, the word has a plural, beeves. 2. The flesh of an ox, bull, or cow, when killed. In popular language, the word is often applied to the live animal; as, an ox is good beef; that is, is well fattened. In this sense, the word has no plural. BEEF, adjective Consisting of the flesh of the ox, or bovine kind; as a beef-steak.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI