lamb
B1neutral
Definition
Meaning
a young sheep.
a gentle, innocent, or vulnerable person; the meat from a young sheep (lamb meat); also used as a term of endearment.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a countable noun (a lamb, several lambs). As meat, it is usually uncountable. The metaphorical sense ('gentle person') is common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The metaphorical use and culinary term are identical.
Connotations
Associated with innocence, gentleness, and sacrifice in both cultures.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] The ewe lambed in the night.[N of N] the lamb of GodVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like a lamb to the slaughter”
- “mutton dressed as lamb”
- “the lamb of God”
- “in two shakes of a lamb's tail”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in agricultural commodities trading (e.g., 'lamb futures').
Academic
Common in literature (symbolism), biology/agriculture, and religious studies.
Everyday
Very common for the animal, the meat, and metaphorical descriptions of people.
Technical
Used in veterinary science and animal husbandry with precise age/weight specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The ewes are due to lamb next week.
- She successfully lambed a healthy pair of twins.
American English
- The herd is lambing in the south pasture.
- They recorded which ewes lambed first.
adjective
British English
- We're having a leg of lamb roast for Sunday lunch.
- He has a lamb-like innocence about him.
American English
- She ordered lamb chops with mint jelly.
- His lamb-soft voice was reassuring.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little lamb followed its mother.
- I don't eat lamb.
- We saw several lambs playing in the field.
- For Easter dinner, we traditionally roast a leg of lamb.
- He was sent into the negotiations like a lamb to the slaughter.
- The price of spring lamb has risen sharply this year.
- Her political opponents derided her as an innocent lamb unprepared for the cutthroat world of the legislature.
- The poet used the imagery of a lost lamb to symbolize spiritual desolation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BLAM!' – a lamb might jump out and say 'Baa!' but gently, so it's a soft 'LAMB'.
Conceptual Metaphor
INNOCENCE IS A LAMB; VULNERABILITY IS A LAMB; GENTLENESS IS A LAMB.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'баран' (ram/adult male sheep). 'Lamb' is specifically молодой баран / ягнёнок.
- "Lamb" as meat is 'баранина', but 'баранина' can refer to meat from adult sheep (mutton) as well, causing potential misunderstanding.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lamb' for adult sheep (incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'lam'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most specific meaning of 'lamb'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Lamb' refers to meat from a young sheep (typically under one year). 'Mutton' is meat from an adult sheep.
Yes, it means 'to give birth to a lamb' (e.g., 'The ewe lambed'). This is common in farming contexts.
It means being very gentle, meek, or docile. 'He went like a lamb' suggests he went without protest or resistance.
It is a historical remnant from Middle English pronunciation. The 'b' was once pronounced but became silent while the spelling remained fixed.
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