lady-cow
(ˈleɪdɪkaʊ)
[f. lady n. 3 (genitive, as in next). Cf. G. Marienkuh.]
1. = lady-bird. (Cf. cow-lady.)
| 1606 Sylvester Du Bartas ii. iv. i. Trophies 274 [Goliath says to David:] O Lady-cow [Fr. Ha petit Damereau!], Thou shalt no more be-star thy wanton brow With thine eyes rayes. 1630 Drayton Muses Eliz. viii. 70 The Lady-Cow: The dainty shell vpon her backe Of Crimson strew'd with spots of blacke. 1713 Derham Phys. Theol. 8 note, Wasps, Bees,..and Lady-Cows. 1868 Daily News 15 Aug., The earth for several miles adjoining the river Severn..was thickly covered with insects commonly called ‘lady cows’. |
2. nonce-use. A term of mock dignity for a cow.
| 1649 Lovelace Poems (1864) 63 A rev'rend lady-cow drawes neere. |