buffalo

a general word used for several kinds of large, grass-eating animals – mammal;

1.

Asian buffalo

(a) wild Asian water buffalo

(b) domestic Asian water buffalo

2.

African or Cape buffalo

African or Cape buffalo

3.

American buffalo or bison

4.

some city names, particularly the Buffalo of New York


1.

(a) wild Asian/Asiatic buffalo: large – 3 to 4 feet tall (the shoulder height) and weighs about 1000 Kg., females (cows) being smaller; now an endangered species (kind); found in Asia, particularly in India and the neighbouring countries

(b) Domestic Asian water buffalo or domestic water buffalo:

large but smaller than the wild buffalo; found in Asia, South American and southern Europe

male ~~ bull

female ~~ cow

baby ~~ calf

group ~~ herd

voice (call) ~~ bellow

home ~~   cow-shed (man-made for domestic breeds); {no home in the wild}

Special Features:
It is the national animal of Vietnam, Southeast Asia.

Buffalo are used as draught/draft animals – beasts of burden – to carry loads, to pull ploughs and carts, etc., in some parts of the world.

Buffalo are kept as dairy animals – for milk.

The dried dung of these animals is used as fuel in domestic cooking fires, and fresh piles of it are made into manure!

They are kept for their meat and hides (in some parts of the world).

Figures of Speech:

1. {This name is used with place names and sports club names.}

2. a buffalo = an insulting term used for a slow-thinking and slow-moving person

3. to buffalo  =  to confuse somebody in order to cheat; to bully somebody

Note: Though they are called buffalo, the African or Cape buffalo and the American buffalo are not closely related to Asian buffalo!

About the Author:BC Kumar

BC Kumar, an English Language Teacher, taught in numerous countries including Ethiopia, Oman and India, shares his knowledge and passion for the English Language. Disclaimer: This is a free educational website and all content has been compiled by the author. All copyrights to images and videos belong to their respective owners.

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