calve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb release ice
    break up.
    • The icebergs and glaciers calve
  2. verb birth
    have young.
    • the whales calve at this time of year

WordNet

Calve intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. cealfian. See Calf.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Calved 3; present participle & verbal noun Calving
Definitions
  1. To bring forth a calf. "Their cow calveth." Job xxi. 10.
  2. To bring forth young; to produce offspring.
    Canst thou mark when the hinds do calve? Job xxxix. 1.
    The grassy clods now calved. Molton.

Webster 1913