gnu

• POS: Noun

CIDE DICTIONARY

gnu, n. [Hottentot gnu, or nju: cf. F. gnou.].

 One of two species of large South African antelopes of the genus Catoblephas, having a mane and bushy tail, and curved horns in both sexes.  [1913 Webster]
" The common gnu or wildebeest (Catoblephas gnu) is plain brown; the brindled gnu or blue wildebeest (C. gorgon) is larger, with transverse stripes of black on the neck and shoulders."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

gnu, n. any antelope of the genus Connochaetes, native to S. Africa, with a large erect head and brown stripes on the neck and shoulders. Also called WILDEBEEST.

Etymology

Bushman nqu, prob. through Du. gnoe

DEVIL DICTIONARY

gnu

n. An animal of South Africa, which in its domesticated state resembles a horse, a buffalo and a stag. In its wild condition it is something like a thunderbolt, an earthquake and a cyclone.

A hunter from Kew caught a distant view
Of a peacefully meditative gnu,
And he said: "I'll pursue, and my hands imbrue
In its blood at a closer interview."
But that beast did ensue and the hunter it threw
O'er the top of a palm that adjacent grew;
And he said as he flew: "It is well I withdrew
Ere, losing my temper, I wickedly slew
That really meritorious gnu."
Jarn Leffer

THESAURUS

gnu

Cape elk, Virginia deer, antelope, buck, camel, camelopard, caribou, deer, deerlet, doe, dromedary, eland, elk, fallow deer, fawn, gazelle, giraffe, hart, hartebeest, hind, kaama, moose, mule deer, musk deer, okapi, red deer, reindeer, roe, roe deer, roebuck, springbok, stag, wildebeest