oxlike

1 6.1

Like an ox in size, strength, and slow movement

adjective
/ˈɑksˌlaɪk/

: bovino

Despite her gentle demeanor, she showed an oxlike determination to finish the race against all odds.

Examples

It was probably desperation, mixed with her usual oxlike resistance to giving up something she wanted.

Fiction book (1995)
The farmer admired the oxlike strength of his best plow animal as it pulled the heavy cart.
Musk oxen were also goatlike animals, although larger, and their heavy double coats, which resembled the fur of mammoths and woolly rhinoceroses, made them seem bigger and more "oxlike."

Fiction book (1990)
With its broad shoulders and sturdy build, the animal had an oxlike appearance that inspired awe.

Synonyms

cowlike

vsoxlike

1 3.3

Looking and moving like a cow, slow and calm

emphasizes great strength and heavy build rather than gentleness

How Strong

mighty

327 2.9

oxlike

1 6.1

powerful

∞ 1.7

sturdy

79 2.1

strong

∞ 1.0

weak

315 1.0

frail

58 4.1

Surface Forms

oxlike positive

Morphology

oxlike = ox (transparent) = ox + like

The adjective is a regular derivation from the noun 'ox' with the productive suffix '-like' meaning 'resembling'.

Etymology

Oxlike comes from ox, the strong farm animal, and the ending -like, which means 'similar to'. Think of an ox pulling a heavy cart: slow, steady, and very strong. So oxlike means 'like an ox' in look or behaviour, especially showing great strength or a slow, determined move.