antelope
/'æntiloup/
Definition
- Noun:
- A type of graceful, hoofed mammal: An antelope is a swift-running, even-toed ungulate belonging to the family Bovidae. They are typically found in Africa and Eurasia and are characterized by their slender legs, permanent hollow horns (borne by males and often females), and ruminant digestion.
- A member of a diverse group: The term broadly encompasses many species, including gazelles, impalas, and springboks, known for their agility and often inhabiting grasslands, savannas, and deserts.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- We saw a herd of antelope grazing on the savanna.
- The cheetah chased the antelope across the plain.
- Antelope horns vary greatly in shape and size between species.
Advanced Usage
- Collective reference: While "antelope" can be pluralized as "antelopes," it is also common to use "antelope" as a plural form when referring to a group of the same or different species.
- Several antelope were spotted near the waterhole.
Variants and Related Words
- Antelopian (adj): Pertaining to or resembling an antelope (rarely used).
- Proantelope (n): An extinct ancestral form of antelope.
Synonyms
- Bovid: A member of the cattle family Bovidae, which includes antelopes, cattle, goats, and sheep. (This is a broader category.)
- Ungulate: A hoofed mammal. (This is an even broader category.)
Related Phrases
- Antelope ground squirrel: A type of ground squirrel native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, named for its swift, antelope-like running.
- Pronghorn antelope: Often called simply "pronghorn," this North American mammal () is not a true antelope but is frequently referred to as one due to its similar appearance and ecology.
Related Idioms
Noun
-
graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks
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