गौः
English meaning: cow; cattle; ox
Definition
A cow, the most sacred and economically central animal in Vedic culture. The word can also mean cattle generally, and in some contexts the earth, rays of light, or speech.
Example
“गौः क्षीरं ददाति।”
In English: “The cow gives milk.”
Another example: “गौः तृणं चरति।”
Usage — When, Where & How
Vedic and Classical noun of central cultural and ritual importance: the cow, emblem of wealth and sanctity; also 'cattle, ox', and in some contexts 'rays' or 'earth'. Its declension (go-, diphthong stem) is famously irregular.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
An ancient noun from the Indo-European base *gʷōus 'cow, cattle' (cf. Latin bos, Greek bous, English cow); meaning 'cow, cattle'.
Synonyms
- धेनुः
- सुरभिः
- माहेयी
- अघ्न्या
Related Words
Common Collocations
- गोपाल
- गोरक्षा
- गोधन
- गोमती
- गोष्ठ
Word Forms
m./f., diphthong (go-) stem; nom. गौः, acc. गाम्, instr. गवा, nom.pl. गावः
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“मन्दः कवियशः प्रार्थी गमिष्याम्युपहास्यताम्। प्रांशुलभ्ये फले लोभादुद्बाहुरिव वामनः।।”
/Mandah kaviyashah prarthhi gamishyamyupahasytam. Pramshu-labhe phale lobhadud-bahur iva vamanah./
“Feeble-minded yet aspiring to a poet's fame, I go to be ridiculed — like a dwarf reaching for high fruit.”
“रामो विग्रहवान् धर्मः साधुः सत्यपराक्रमः”
/Ramo vigrahavan dharmah sadhuh satya-parakramah/
“Rama is righteousness incarnate — virtuous and true in valour.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- संस्कृतम्
- Sanskrit
- Script
- Devanagari
- Family
- Indo-Aryan
- Speakers
- 5M