elk
nounnounattested in dialogue
- //ɛlk//
Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes). Any of the subspecies of the moose (Alces alces, the largest member of the deer family, alternatively named Eurasian elk to avoid confusion with the wapiti), that occurs only in Europe and Asia.
noun
- 1
Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes). Any of the subspecies of the moose (Alces alces, the largest member of the deer family, alternatively named Eurasian elk to avoid confusion with the wapiti), that occurs only in Europe and Asia.
- 2
Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes). Common wapiti (Cervus canadensis), the second largest member of the deer family, once thought to be a subspecies of red deer.
- 3
Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes). Sambar (Cervus unicolor).
In a narrow defile […] a male elk, (cervus alces, Lin.) of noble appearance, followed by twenty-two females, passed majestically under their platform, each as large as a common-sized horse.
Etymology
From Middle English elk, from Old English eolc, eolh (“elk”), from Proto-West Germanic *elh, from Proto-Germanic *elhaz, *algiz (“elk”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₁élḱis, *h₁ólḱis, variant of *h₁elh₁én, from *h₁el- (“deer”). See also Low German Elk, German Elch, Danish elg, Norwegian elg, Swedish älg; also Polish łoś, Russian лось (losʹ), Vedic Sanskrit ऋश्य (ṛ́śya, “antelope”); also German Elen, Tocharian A yäl, Tocharian B ylem (“gazelle”), Lithuanian élnis (“stag”), Armenian եղնիկ (eġnik, “doe, hind”). Doublet of Elhaz.
noun
- 1
Variant of elkeobsoleteObsolete form of elke (common swan (Cygnus cygnus, syn. Cygnus ferus)).
Forms
- plural
- elks
elk · Any of various large species of deer such as the red deer, moose or wapiti (see usage notes). Any of the subspecies of the moose (Alces alces, the…
Elk · A member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, an…ell · The name of the Latin script letter L/l. (more commonly el)Ell · A surname.