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prettygoodwordzebu (ZEE-byoo, ZEE-boo) - n., a type of domesticated cattle from India (Bos taurus indicus, formerly Bos indicus) with a large fleshy hump on its back and a dewlap.
Plural is either zebu or zebus. Closely related to the European domesticated cow (Bos taurus taurus), and both are descended from the aurochs (B. taurus primigenius). Also like the European version, there are many breeds -- but unlike them, most are well-adapted adapted to hot climates, making them the primary types of cattle raised throughout south Asia and Africa. The name is something of a mystery: it was exhibited in Paris in 1752 by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, under the name zébu, but where he got that is unclear. It has been suggested that it may have been from a Tibetan source, possibly from colloquial dzo-po, male offspring of a cow and a yak bull (from from Classical Tibetan mdzo-po), or perhaps from Tibetan ze-ba, the hump of a zebu, camel, or similar animal.
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
Plural is either zebu or zebus. Closely related to the European domesticated cow (Bos taurus taurus), and both are descended from the aurochs (B. taurus primigenius). Also like the European version, there are many breeds -- but unlike them, most are well-adapted adapted to hot climates, making them the primary types of cattle raised throughout south Asia and Africa. The name is something of a mystery: it was exhibited in Paris in 1752 by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, under the name zébu, but where he got that is unclear. It has been suggested that it may have been from a Tibetan source, possibly from colloquial dzo-po, male offspring of a cow and a yak bull (from from Classical Tibetan mdzo-po), or perhaps from Tibetan ze-ba, the hump of a zebu, camel, or similar animal.
Thanks, WikiMedia!
---L.
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