| 释义 |
ovine, a. and n.|ˈəʊvaɪn|
[ad. L. ovīn-us, f. ovis sheep: see -ine1: cf. F. ovine.]
A. adj.
1. Of, pertaining to, of the nature of, or characteristic of, sheep or a sheep; in Zool. belonging to the Ovinæ, a subfamily of Ruminants, comprising the various kinds of sheep.
1828Webster, Ovine, pertaining to sheep; consisting of sheep. 1865Sat. Rev. 7 Oct. 455/1 The ovine small-pox of last season. 1874Helps Soc. Press. xxiv. 375 That most notable instinct of the ovine race to follow thoughtlessly.
2. fig. Resembling a sheep; sheeplike, sheepish.
1832Carlyle Misc. (1857) III. 68 Ponder well these ovine proceedings. 1887Daily Tel. 2 May 3/1 Scarcely, we think, should this amorous and ovine youth be Strephon.
B. n. A member of the Ovinæ; a sheep.
1890in Cent. Dict. |