Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CALF, n. [c'aff, plur. calves, pron. c'avz. Sax. cealf; Sw. kalf; Dan. kalv; D. kalf; and the verb kalven, to calve, to vomit; G. kalb; kalben. The primary sense is issue, from throwing out. Hence the word is applied to the protuberant part of the leg, a push, a swell.]

1. The young of the cow, or of the bovine genus of quadrupeds.
2. In contempt, a dolt; an ignorant, stupid person; a weak or cowardly man. – Drayton.
3. The thick fleshy part of the leg behind, so called from its protuberance. – Wiseman.
4. The calves of the lips, in Hosea, signify the pure offerings of prayer, praise and thanksgiving. – Brown.