cow

name

1. Alternative form of C of W.

noun

Etymology: Clipping of AT2018cow. From the name of the archetypal event, AT2018cow, an LFBOT. From being an astronomical transient (AT) occurring in 2018, with an automatically assigned code to distinguish it from other events in 2018.

1. LFBOT: Synonym of luminous fast blue optical transient.

verb

Etymology: Probably from Old Norse kúga (“to oppress”) (whence also Norwegian and Danish kue, Swedish kuva); compare Icelandic kúfa (“to set on top”) and Faroese kúga (“to oppress”).

1. To intimidate; to daunt the spirits or courage of.

   “Con artists are not cowed by the law.”

   “To vanquish a people already cowed.”