A young animal, especially a lamb or calf, that has been abandoned by its mother and is raised by hand by humans.
From Middle English 'cade,' possibly from Old French 'cadel' meaning a young animal or pet. The word may relate to 'cadet,' originally meaning a younger son or dependent, reflecting the idea of something small or dependent that requires care.
This word is still used by shepherds and farmers today—when a lamb is rejected by its mother, they literally call it a 'cade' and bottle-feed it. It's a beautiful example of how rural vocabulary preserves ancient practices and the relationship between humans and animals.
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