Building Your Power of Expression

Bovine, adj.

Pronunciation: ˈbōˌvīn

Meaning: While the word bovine has reference to things associated with hoofed, cud-chewing mammals such as cows, American bison, water buffalo, yaks, and several other species that have cloven hooves and favor herbivorous diets, over time the word has been used in a derogatory sense to describe a person who is either slow-moving or dull-witted, and it is in that latter sense that I wish to focus our attention.

Usage:

• “He moved through the meeting with a bovine sluggishness, barely contributing to the conversation.”
• “Her responses were so slow and bovine that we wondered if she was even paying attention.”
• “The team could barely conceal their frustration with his bovine approach to problem-solving as we needed quick, creative ideas.”