n. pl. aurochs 1. A wild ox (Bos primigenius) of Europe, northern Africa, and western Asia that became extinct in the 17th century and is believed to be the ancestor of domestic cattle. Also called urus. 2. See wisent. [Obsolete German, variant of German Auerochs, from Middle High German ūrohse, from Old High German ūrohso : ūro, aurochs + ohso, ox; see uks-en- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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