(uncountable, by ellipsis) Mad cow disease; bovine spongiform encephalopathy. / (countable) A cow afflicted with mad cow disease. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see mad, cow.

(idiomatic) Something which cannot be tampered with, or criticized, for fear of public outcry. A person, institution, belief system, etc. which, for no reason other than the demands of established social etiquette or popular opinion, should be accorded respect or reverence, and not touched, handled or examined too closely.

A hitch knot used to attach a rope to an object, comprising a pair of half hitches tied in opposing directions. / Any hitch or bend which slips because it is wrongly tied.

The lead cow in a herd. / (US, figuratively) A leader; an influencer.

Having large, full, wide eyes, like those of cows.

Alternative form of cowhearted

plural of cow-wheat

Alternative form of cowpuncher

plural of cow-puncher

(obsolete) Alternative form of killcow