Buffalo is a term widely used in the English language, and it holds different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. The term buffalo is often associated with the American bison, but it can also be used to describe other animals, as well as a city in New York State.
Definitions
Buffalo is a noun that can be defined as a large, shaggy-haired mammal with horns that curve upwards, or a city in western New York State. Additionally, buffalo can also refer to a type of leather made from the skin of a buffalo, or a type of cloth that resembles buffalo leather.
Origin
The term buffalo has its roots in the Greek word “boubalos,” which means “wild ox.” The term was later adapted to Latin and then into Old French, where it became “bufle.” The word eventually made its way into the English language in the 16th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, buffalo is defined as “any of several wild bovids: such as the water buffalo or the American bison.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines buffalo as “a large, heavily built wild ox with shaggy hair and upcurved horns, used in North America for meat, hides, and as a symbol of the West.”
Associations
Buffalo is often associated with the American West, where it was once a common sight on the prairies. The buffalo also holds cultural significance for many Native American tribes, who used the animal for food, clothing, and shelter.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for buffalo include bison, ox, and cow.
Antonyms
Some antonyms for buffalo include small, weak, and frail.
The same root words
The word buffalo does not share any root words with other English words.
Example Sentences
- The buffalo once roamed freely across the American prairies.
- The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York.
- The leather jacket was made from buffalo hide.
- The buffalo plaid shirt was a popular fashion trend in the 1990s.