Hypertext Webster Gateway: "cattle"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Cattle
abounded in the Holy Land. To the rearing and management of them
the inhabitants chiefly devoted themselves (Deut. 8:13; 12:21; 1
Sam. 11:5; 12:3; Ps. 144:14; Jer. 3:24). They may be classified
as,
(1.) Neat cattle. Many hundreds of these were yearly consumed
in sacrifices or used for food. The finest herds were found in
Bashan, beyond Jordan (Num. 32:4). Large herds also pastured on
the wide fertile plains of Sharon. They were yoked to the plough
(1 Kings 19:19), and were employed for carrying burdens (1 Chr.
12:40). They were driven with a pointed rod (Judg. 3:31) or goad
(q.v.).
According to the Mosaic law, the mouths of cattle employed for
the threshing-floor were not to be muzzled, so as to prevent
them from eating of the provender over which they trampled
(Deut. 25:4). Whosoever stole and sold or slaughtered an ox must
give five in satisfaction (Ex. 22:1); but if it was found alive
in the possession of him who stole it, he was required to make
double restitution only (22:4). If an ox went astray, whoever
found it was required to bring it back to its owner (23:4; Deut.
22:1, 4). An ox and an ass could not be yoked together in the
plough (Deut. 22:10).
(2.) Small cattle. Next to herds of neat cattle, sheep formed
the most important of the possessions of the inhabitants of
Palestine (Gen. 12:16; 13:5; 26:14; 21:27; 29:2, 3). They are
frequently mentioned among the booty taken in war (Num. 31:32;
Josh. 6:21; 1 Sam. 14:32; 15:3). There were many who were owners
of large flocks (1 Sam. 25:2; 2 Sam. 12:2, comp. Job 1:3). Kings
also had shepherds "over their flocks" (1 Chr. 27:31), from
which they derived a large portion of their revenue (2 Sam.
17:29; 1 Chr. 12:40). The districts most famous for their flocks
of sheep were the plain of Sharon (Isa. 65: 10), Mount Carmel
(Micah 7:14), Bashan and Gilead (Micah 7:14). In patriarchal
times the flocks of sheep were sometimes tended by the daughters
of the owners. Thus Rachel, the daughter of Laban, kept her
father's sheep (Gen. 29:9); as also Zipporah and her six sisters
had charge of their father Jethro's flocks (Ex. 2:16). Sometimes
they were kept by hired shepherds (John 10:12), and sometimes by
the sons of the family (1 Sam. 16:11; 17:15). The keepers so
familiarized their sheep with their voices that they knew them,
and followed them at their call. Sheep, but more especially rams
and lambs, were frequently offered in sacrifice. The shearing of
sheep was a great festive occasion (1 Sam. 25:4; 2 Sam. 13:23).
They were folded at night, and guarded by their keepers against
the attacks of the lion (Micah 5:8), the bear (1 Sam. 17:34),
and the wolf (Matt. 10:16; John 10:12). They were liable to
wander over the wide pastures and go astray (Ps. 119:176; Isa.
53:6; Hos. 4:16; Matt. 18:12).
Goats also formed a part of the pastoral wealth of Palestine
(Gen. 15:9; 32:14; 37:31). They were used both for sacrifice and
for food (Deut. 14:4), especially the young males (Gen. 27:9,
14, 17; Judg. 6:19; 13:15; 1 Sam. 16:20). Goat's hair was used
for making tent cloth (Ex. 26:7; 36:14), and for mattresses and
bedding (1 Sam. 19:13, 16). (See {GOAT}.)
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cattle \Cat"tle\ (k[a^]t"t'l), n. pl. [OE. calet, chatel, goods,
property, OF. catel, chatel, LL. captale, capitale, goods,
property, esp. cattle, fr. L. capitals relating to the head,
chief; because in early ages beasts constituted the chief
part of a man's property. See {Capital}, and cf. {Chattel}.]
Quadrupeds of the Bovine family; sometimes, also, including
all domestic quadrupeds, as sheep, goats, horses, mules,
asses, and swine.
{Belted cattle}, {Black cattle}. See under {Belted}, {Black}.
{Cattle guard}, a trench under a railroad track and alongside
a crossing (as of a public highway). It is intended to
prevent cattle from getting upon the track.
{cattle louse} (Zo["o]l.), any species of louse infecting
cattle. There are several species. The {H[ae]matatopinus
eurysternus} and {H. vituli} are common species which suck
blood; {Trichodectes scalaris} eats the hair.
{Cattle plague}, the rinderpest; called also {Russian cattle
plague}.
{Cattle range}, or {Cattle run}, an open space through which
cattle may run or range. [U. S.] --Bartlett.
{Cattle show}, an exhibition of domestic animals with prizes
for the encouragement of stock breeding; -- usually
accompanied with the exhibition of other agricultural and
domestic products and of implements.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
cattle
n : domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or
age: "so many head of cattle"; "wait till the cows come
home"; "seven thin and ill-favored kine"- Bible; "a team
of oxen" [syn: {cows}, {kine}, {oxen}, {Bos taurus}]
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