water ox
1
7.5
- noun
- Indian
- The water ox is an important draft animal in many Asian countries.
Examples
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The villagers rely on the water ox to plow their rice fields each season.
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A water ox can pull heavy loads through muddy terrain with ease.
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Researchers studied how the water ox adapted to life in wet, tropical climates.
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Many farmers rely on the water ox for plowing their fields.
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The villagers rely on the water ox to plow their rice fields each season.
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A water ox can pull heavy loads through muddy terrain with ease.
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Many farmers rely on the water ox for plowing their fields.
Synonyms
9
2.8
A large farm animal like a cow that works in wet, muddy fields
1
9.9
A large water buffalo from the Philippines that farmers use to pull plows
1
9.2
A large Asian water buffalo that people use for plowing fields and for milk and meat
A large Asian farm animal like a cow that people use to pull plows
Surface Forms
Morphology
water + ox
The meaning is directly derivable from 'water' (relating to water) + 'ox' (a draught animal): it denotes an ox associated with watery habitats or water-adapted cattle. This noun+noun composition mirrors cross-linguistic patterns (e.g. 'water buffalo'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will likely infer the intended animal.
Etymology
The name water ox comes from the simple picture of a big buffalo working in wet rice fields. People used water for the wet fields and ox for a strong animal that pulls, so the name means 'an Asian buffalo used for work'.