different between oxen vs oxless

English

Etymology

From Middle English oxen, plural of oxe, from Old English oxan, nominative and accusative plural of oxa, equivalent to ox +? -en pl.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /??ks?n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /??ks?n/
• Rhymes: -?ks?n
• Hyphenation: ox?en

Noun

oxen

1. plural of ox

Adjective

oxen (not comparable)

1. Of, relating to, or resembling an ox; oxlike
   • 2010, Gayle A. McCoy, GOD’S GOLDEN BOX: The Ark of the Covenant - Page 100:

     These included the adze, saws of different sizes with, very likely, different size teeth or cutting edges, axe, chisels of various sizes, drills with various size drill bits, a square, plumb line, hammer, maul, and awl, plus a sharpening stone of slate and an oxen horn used as an oil flask.

   • 2013, Michael Wayne Snider, Memoirs of a Dragon Slayer - Page 22:

     He also had a tail like an oxen tail only with a razor sharp bard that he used in conflict to stab or slice his victims.

   • 2015, Amulon Theophilus, Elomaneck: Duraban Rebels:

     He took a great gulp of wine from an oxen horn goblet and with a sigh slammed it down on the conference table. “Warriors!” he bellowed, gazing about as if daring anyone to challenge him.

   • 2015, Christian Bullock, Deathstalker: Of the Line of Mer:

     Kvigr walked the oxen cart between the huts. There were many markings on each of the huts.

Anagrams

• exon, xeno-

Middle English

Verb

oxen

1. Alternative form of axen (“to ask”)

Swedish

Noun

oxen

1. definite singular of oxe

English

Etymology

From ox +? -less.

Adjective

oxless (comparative more oxless, superlative most oxless)

1. (rare) Having no ox or oxen.
   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, II.154:

     But beef is rare within these oxless isles; / Goat's flesh there is, no doubt, and kid, and mutton [...].

Synonyms

• oxenless