kine
Very LowArchaic / Poetic / Literary / Dialectal
Definition
Meaning
Archaic or literary plural form of 'cow'.
Used collectively to refer to cattle, especially cows, in older English, poetic, or dialectal contexts. Sometimes employed for stylistic effect to evoke a rural or historical setting.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a rare plural formed via the now-obsolete '-en' suffix (as in 'oxen'). It is almost exclusively found in historical texts, poetry, or deliberate archaic usage. It is not a term for individual cows but for cattle as a group.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference as the word is equally archaic in both variants. It may be marginally more recognized in UK contexts due to greater preservation of dialectal terms.
Connotations
Evokes a pastoral, biblical, or Shakespearean tone. Use implies a deliberate stylistic choice, not casual speech.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary usage in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] the kineThe kine [verb]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used in modern animal husbandry.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In the old poem, the kine were slowly driven home at dusk.
- The farmer's wealth was counted in his kine.
- The biblical passage referred to the 'fat kine' as a symbol of plenty.
- The novelist used 'kine' to lend a rustic, timeless quality to the pastoral scene.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Remember the rhyme: 'Kine, not fine, are cattle of olden time.'
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable due to archaic status.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'кин' (kin) meaning 'cine-' as in film. 'Kine' is unrelated to cinema.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a singular noun (*'a kine').
- Using it in modern, non-stylized contexts.
- Confusing it with 'kind'.
Practice
Quiz
In what context would the word 'kine' most likely be found today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never. It is considered an archaic or literary term. You might encounter it in poetry, historical fiction, or references to older texts like the King James Bible.
No. Using 'kine' in casual speech would sound very odd and pretentious. It is not part of active, contemporary vocabulary.
The singular is 'cow'. 'Kine' itself is an irregular plural noun.
It is recorded because it appears in significant historical and literary works (e.g., Shakespeare, the Bible). Dictionaries document the full history of the language, including words no longer in common use.