fallow-deer
Definition
Noun
- A specific species of deer, Dama dama, typically of a pale brown or yellowish colour with white spots in summer, often kept in parks or estates. The term "fallow-deer" refers to the animal itself, not its antlers, behaviour, or habitat.
Usage Examples
- (A group of this deer species lives in the park.)
- (This deer species is recognised by its spotted fur.)
Advanced Usage
- "to keep fallow-deer": to maintain a population of this deer species, often in a managed park or estate.
- The nobleman kept fallow-deer on his grounds for hunting and ornament. (He maintained the deer for both sport and decoration.)
Variants and Related Words
- Fallow (adj): of a pale brown or yellowish colour, as seen in the deer's coat.
- The fallow field matched the deer's fur. (The field was the same pale colour as the deer.)
- Deer (n): a general term for ruminant mammals of the family Cervidae; "fallow-deer" is a specific type.
Synonyms
- Dam (archaic): an old term for a female fallow-deer, though now rare.
- The dam grazed quietly with her fawn. (The female fallow-deer ate calmly with her young.)
Related Idioms
- "as graceful as a fallow-deer": describing elegant or poised movement.
- She moved through the room as graceful as a fallow-deer. (She moved with the elegance of this deer species.)