vaca
1. (zoology) cow
·el mal o la enfermedad de las vacas locas
·mad cow disease
a. (los años de) las vacas flacas the lean years
b. (los años de) las vacas gordas the fat years, the boom years
c. pasar las vacas gordas to have a grand time of it *
d. ponerse como una vaca > * to get as fat as a pig *
·vaca de leche (literally) dairy cow
(Latin America) (figurative) good business, profitable deal
·vaca de San Antillesónoun ladybird, ladybug United States
·vaca lechera dairy cow
·vaca marina sea cow, manatee
·vaca sagrada (also figurative) sacred cow
2. (culinary, cooking ) beef
3. (=cuero) cowhide
4. (Latin America) (commerce) enterprise with profits on a pro rata basis
5. hacer(se) la vaca
(Andes) to play truant, play hooky United States