oryx

[ awr-iks, ohr- ]

noun

, plural o·ryx·es, (especially collectively) o·ryx.

1. a large antelope of the genus Oryx, with pale fur and long horns: three species are native to arid regions of Africa, and the fourth inhabits Arabia.

oryx

/ ˈɒrɪks /

noun

1. any large African antelope of the genus Oryx, typically having long straight nearly upright horns

Word History and Origins

Origin of oryx¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English orix, from Latin oryx “wild goat, gazelle,” from Greek óryx “iron tool for digging, pickax, gazelle, antelope” (from its sharp horns)

Word History and Origins

Origin of oryx¹

C14: via Latin from Greek orux stonemason's axe, used also of the pointed horns of an antelope

Example Sentences

When visiting Boy Scouts press their faces against the diorama glass as if they were trapped inside, a girl wears braids that look like the horns of the Arabian oryx she is contemplating, and a very much alive elephant crosses from stage right, we may begin to wonder which side of the glass is holding back the wildness of nature.

From Los Angeles Times

The first set of banned materials includes Judy Blume’s "Forever," is a coming-of-age book that touches on sexuality, Margaret Atwood’s "Oryx and Crake,"a post-apocalyptic novel that has been frequently subjected to banning, and Rupi Kaur’s book of poetry, "Milk and Honey," which is about "violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity," ABC News reported.

From Salon

That is a sliver of the 796 of Ukraine’s main battle tanks that have been destroyed, captured or abandoned since the war began in February 2022, according to Oryx, a military analysis site that counts losses based on visual evidence.

From New York Times

And Russia has so far lost more than 2,900 tanks, the Oryx data show, although Ukraine claims that the number exceeds 7,000.

From New York Times

German Leopard tanks have also been targeted in Ukraine, with at least 30 having been destroyed, Oryx says.

From New York Times