Goats

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of domesticated animal recognized for its versatility in providing milk, meat, and wool ; These nimble creatures are adaptable to various climates and terrains ; Known for their strong social structures, they exhibit a range of breeds and behaviors suited to different lifestyles
2. Hoofed mammals commonly bred and kept for milk, meat, and fiber production
3. Animals raised on farms noted for their ability to thrive in diverse environments and for furnishing dairy and meat products

Etymology: The word "goats" is simply the plural of "goat," so its story is really the story of the animal's name. "Goat" descends from Old English "gāt," which in turn goes back to a Proto-Germanic form "*gaits." Linguists think the ultimate source was a language spoken before the Germanic peoples spread across northern Europe, a substrate whose identity has been lost, so the deepest roots of the name remain unrecovered. The name also gave English a racier sense. Men were called goats for their lecherousness from the slang phrase "horny as a goat," a reputation the animal's restless, climbing, fence-jumping habits may have helped inspire. The livestock sense has stayed steady since Old English, while the sexual sense belongs to later colloquial use.

Synonyms: kids, nannies, billys