calfskin

IPA/ˈkɑːfskɪn/
IPA/ˈkæfskɪn/

calfskin — noun

1. soft, high-quality leather prepared from a calf's hide, often chosen for shoes,

1.nounC1
Definition

soft, high-quality leather prepared from a calf's hide, often chosen for shoes, belts, wallets, cases, and fine book covers

Example

Ilan chose a black calfskin wallet because it felt softer than plastic.

modifier: calfskin + noun

Hao rubbed wax onto his calfskin shoes before the wedding.

common product use: calfskin shoes

Common collocations
  • calfskin wallet
  • calfskin shoes
  • soft calfskin
  • fine calfskin
  • bound in calfskin
Synonyms
  • leather

    a broad term for animal hide material; calfskin is a softer, finer type within it

  • kidskin

    soft leather from a young goat, usually lighter and more delicate than calfskin

  • vellum

    specially prepared calfskin used for writing or ceremonial documents rather than everyday leather goods

Grammar Patterns

calfskin + noun

made of calfskin

bound in calfskin

Usage Note

Usually uncountable when naming the material itself. In catalogues and product descriptions, it often appears before another noun, as in calfskin shoes or a calfskin wallet.

Common Mistakes

The bag is made of a calfskin.
The bag is made of calfskin.
use calfskin as an uncountable material name, not as a countable object.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Leather is the general name for material made from animal hide, while calfskin names one particularly soft and fine type taken from a young cow. Kidskin is also soft, but it comes from a young goat and is usually lighter and more delicate. Vellum is an even more specialized material: traditionally a carefully prepared calfskin used for writing, certificates, or ceremonial books rather than ordinary shoes or wallets. So a calfskin wallet is a luxury leather item, but a vellum diploma belongs in an archive or on a wall.

calfskin ↗leather ↗kidskin ↗vellum ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • calfskin wallet
  • calfskin shoes
  • calfskin belt
  • calfskin case
  • calfskin cover

Phrases

  • made of calfskin
  • soft calfskin
  • fine calfskin

Prepositions

  • in calfskin
  • of calfskin
  • bound in calfskin

Etymology

English

The word is a straightforward English compound formed from calf and skin. It first referred literally to the hide of a young cow, and then to the soft leather prepared from that hide, especially when used for fine shoes, small luxury goods, and bookbinding.

First known use

15th century

15th century, in the meaning defined above