deer
/diə/
Definition
Noun 1. A hoofed grazing or browsing animal: A deer is a mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. Adult male deer are typically characterized by having solid, bony, branched antlers that are shed and regrown annually. 2. Any member of the Cervidae family: This term broadly refers to various species, including elk, moose, reindeer, and roe deer, though in common usage it often specifically denotes smaller species.
Usage Examples
- The deer cautiously stepped out of the forest and into the meadow.
- We saw a herd of deer grazing near the riverbank.
- The male deer, or stag, uses its antlers for display and combat.
- Hunting regulations are strict to protect the local deer population.
Advanced Usage
- Small deer: (idiomatic, archaic) Trivial or insignificant matters or people. This usage is now rare.
- He worried about small deer while the major crisis went unnoticed.
Variants and Related Words
- Buck: An adult male deer.
- Doe: An adult female deer.
- Fawn: A young deer.
- Stag: Another term for a buck, especially a large one.
- Venison: The meat of a deer.
Synonyms
- Cervid (technical term)
- Stag (specifically male)
- Hart (specifically a male red deer)
Related Phrases
- Deer in the headlights: An idiom describing a state of stunned confusion or panic, like an animal frozen by car headlights.
- When asked the unexpected question, he looked like a deer in the headlights.
Noun
-
distinguished from Bovidae by the male's having solid deciduous antlers
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